Next fiscal year’s compensation for elected and non-elected Washington County officials was approved during extended discussion on increased cost of living this year.

The board approved unanimously to use the county compensation board’s recommendation for elected officials. Their proposal included a 20% increase for the county attorney, auditor, treasurer, recorder, and board of supervisors, with a 35% increase for the sheriff and a $2,000 increase to the supervisor chair stipend for a total of $3,500. The compensation board cited the Back the Blue law passed by the state legislature this year that mandates paying county sheriffs a rate similar to police chiefs in cities of similar population to the respective county, and similar to Iowa State Patrol and Division of Criminal Investigation professional administrators and command officers. Last year the compensation board recommended a 3% increase for elected officials and the supervisors approved a 2% increase for both elected and non-elected officials.

For non-elected county officials, the board approved an amended motion for a 7% increase to take effect July 1st, 2022 with an additional 3% increase on January 1st, 2023 pending review. The supervisors mentioned that they were informed during the compensation board meeting that the cost of living has increased by 6.8% this year, with a possible additional 5% increase in the next few months. Supervisors Jack Seward, Jr. and Marcus Fedler emphasized that for these wage increases department heads will have to look at what can be trimmed for the next fiscal year budget, as Seward mentioned that everyone must “have buy-in” to afford the increase. The first fiscal year 2023 budget workshop is scheduled for January 5th.