Salary Set for Elected Officials in County

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By Marlana Smith

  The Shelby County Salary Commission met Monday, December 6 at 2 p.m.

  Present were: Presiding Commissioner Glenn Eagan, Western Commissioner Terry Mefford, Eastern Commissioner Tom Shively, County Clerk Stephanie Bender, Recorder of Deeds Audrey Buzzard, Treasurer Tracy Smith, Collector John Chinn, Assessor Liz Miles, Sheriff Arron Fredrickson and Prosecuting Attorney Jordan Force.

  With a 9-1 vote, Shively voting no, the salary commission (using 2021 as a base) set a 1 percent yearly raise of $494.93.

  Information from November 15 Meeting Minutes

  The Shelby County Salary Commission met on Monday, November 15 at 1 p.m., in the courtroom. The meeting was called to order at 1:08 p.m. by Circuit Clerk Rose Shively, who asked for nominations for a chairperson of the meeting. Eastern Commissioner Tom Shively made a motion to nominate Presiding Commissioner Glenn Eagan to be Salary Commission Chairman, Collector John Chinn seconded the motion. The group voted 12-0, with all in favor. Eagan took over as chairman and Rose Shively exited the meeting.

  Eagan updated the commission on the salary scale the Salary Commission currently uses. There was much discussion about the different options and whether changing from the 2003 base for the salary to a more current year or even making it a sliding base.

  Discussion was made to change the percent not the base, but decided it was not the way to go. Tom Shively made a motion to research this subject and meet again. Chinn seconded the motion. Motion passed 12-0 with all members voting yes.

  The Commission was updated on how the Sheriff’s salary would work now. Fredrickson’s salary will increase $17,000 over the next five years. There may be a lawsuit filed against this bill, but nothing is definite at this time. After this takes effect the Sheriff will no longer be on the Salary Commission.

  Buzzard made a motion for the next meeting to be November 29 at 1 p.m. Chinn seconded the motion. Motion passed, 12-0.

  Information from November 29 Meeting Minutes

  The Salary Commission met on Monday, November 29 at 1 p.m. in the courtroom.

  This was a discussion meeting, and no motions will be made today.

Eagan submitted four different options for wage increases to the Commission: The current salary base for elected officials it the 2003 salary in the amount of $35,360.00. The current COLA for elected officials is 1 percent over that amount.

  1. Leave a 1 percent as it is now bases on the 2003 based. A yearly raise of $353.60 (amount does not change actual is 0.71 percent)

  2. Restore to the original 2 percent before decrease using the 2003 base. A yearly raise of $707.20. (amount does not change as above actual would be 1.42 percent of current)

  3. Set at 1 percent using 2021 as a base. A yearly raise of $494.93 (amount would not change)

  4. Set at 1 percent on previous year’s salary. It will continue to increase based off previous year’s salary.

  Buzzard stated she would oppose anything that would get the salaries off schedule. She wants to keep the elected officials getting pay increases at the same time. Bender agreed with her statement.

  Smith submitted a statement from Margaret Kelly that stated auditors probably wouldn’t get crazy over the rules for Salary Commission since they are not extremely clear in their meaning.

  Smith also stated she is ok with moving forward with the change in that base.

  Force was asked to research a 1 percent increase over the new base of 2021 to begin January 1, 2022. She is going to prepare the wording for the Salary Commission, so it is correct.