Supervisors Approve Salary Increase, But Lower Than Compensation Board’s Recommendations

(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are close to completing the fiscal year 2020-2021 county budget. During their meeting held Tuesday, the supervisors approved a 2.25 percent increase in salary for all county non-bargaining and non-elected officials. The motion was approved by a 5 to 0 vote. When it came to deciding on the salaries of elected officials and the supervisors, the board had a split decision. Supervisor Gary Horton, of Akron, had made the motion to approve a three
percent increase in salary for all elected county officials. The motion failed for not having a second. Back in December, the Plymouth County Compensation Board had suggested a 3.25 percent salary increase for elected officials, and a 2.25 percent increase in pay for the supervisors.

Plymouth County Compensation Board consists of (left to right) Bruce Brock, Ralph Klemme, Pam Floy, chairman Larry Petersen, Rick Kneip, and Chad Thompson.

Later in the meeting, a motion was made to have each of the elected officials, which would include
the Sheriff, County Attorney, Auditor, Treasurer, and Recorder, receive a pay raise amounting to 2.25 percent…one whole percentage point lower than the Compensation Board’s recommendation. On the same motion, it was suggested the county supervisors would receive a two percent increase in pay, amounting to 1/4 percent lower than the county compensation’s suggestions.  The motion passed on a 3 to 2 vote with Loutsch, Horton, and Meis voting in favor of the measure, and Kass and Anderson voting against the smaller wage increase. It was discussed among the supervisors that they should follow the recommendation set forth by the County Compensation
Board, or why would the County Compensation Board need to convene to submit any salary recommendations?  This marks the second year in a row the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors have approved a salary increase that was lower than the county Compensation Board’s recommendations.