Compensation board recommends $1,500 raise for elected officials

Calhoun County elected officials may see their annual salaries rise by $1,500 next fiscal year, if the Board of Supervisors accepts the Compensation Board’s recommendation.
The Compensation Board met Dec. 7 to discuss raises for the auditor, attorney, board of supervisors, sheriff, recorder and treasurer. Employees within those departments receive a salary that is a percentage of their supervisors’ salary, and would in turn receive a percentage of the $1,500 increase that matches the percentage of their supervisors’ salary they receive.
The raise equates to a 4 percent increase for members of the board of supervisors, who will make $36,000 this year, a 2.8 percent increase for the auditor, recorder and treasurer, an almost 2 percent increase for the sheriff and a 1.7 percent increase for the Calhoun County attorney. The board, comprised of seven community members, split 4 to 3 in approving the $1,500 increase.
David Wollenzien explained the reasoning behind his motion to boost the salaries by that figure.
“We’re extraordinarily lucky for every one of these officers that came in here, what they do,” Wollenzien said. “One of my concerns always is when someone retires and it’s an elected office. If we are not compensating them at the best level we can (will the best candidates run for the opening)?” 
Read more in the Dec. 13 edition.