Elected officials secure salary increase

Crook County’s elected officials are set to see a significant salary increase for the first time in many years. The county commission has approved raises across the board to ensure that those individuals elected to serve the county are paid at a rate that better matches inflation and is more competitive with similar roles in surrounding communities and private industry.

According to the resolution, salaries for elected officials were last raised four years ago by $1700. In the time since, non-elected county employees have received cost of living raises of 9% plus a one-time $3600 premium pay during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, says the resolution, the cost of living increased by 10.4% in northeast Wyoming in 2021 alone. It states that elected official salaries need to be raised to match inflation, employee salaries and projected cost of living.

“This is a crazy world,” said Commissioner Fred Devish, referring to the current prices of such things as gas. Commissioner Kelly Dennis agreed that, “This cost of living [increase] is going to affect us all.”

Devish shared his opinion that increasing salaries is vital to make sure Crook County can continue to attract and retain good candidates.

“You say we can’t compete with other counties that have lots of money? Well, we’d better be ready to compete or we’re going to be sitting here with people who aren’t qualified to have the jobs,” he said.

County Attorney Joe Baron spoke to the current issue with employee retention. Crook County currently has seven openings for members of staff.

“I’ve never seen in all the time that I’ve been here us having this many employees out to get hired – ever,” he said, explaining that this puts more burden upon the elected official.

“They’ve had to hold the fort down, no matter what.”

Even more concerning, he said, is that elected officials generally receive little notice that they will be down an employee and will need to cover the workload.

“That’s all the more reason to have a competent elected official there,” he said.

Dennis, in response, mused on a commonly asked question in recent months.

“Everybody is asking me, every day: where are the workers at?” said Dennis.

“They’re all going to work somewhere,” responded Baron. “Everybody I know that has quit here has gone to work somewhere else.”

That may be, said Dennis, but the problem seems larger.

“Everyone is short of people, at every level,” he said.

Baron and County Clerk Linda Fritz suggested that retirements could be partly to blame. Said Baron, the county needs to be competitive in its salaries to attract younger workers who may still be paying student debts.

For example, he said, a Wyoming student who attends law school in this state is looking at a $180,000 minimum financial commitment, not including expenses such as travel.

“People are going where the money is to get that stuff paid off,” he said.

Baron noted that this lack of competition for employee roles once again places a burden on elected officials, “Because they’re the ones who are going to be picking it up and doing it at night.”

Fritz answered a question from Dennis about the percentage of the county budget that is currently directed to salaries for employees and elected officials, and how much would go to salaries if the raises were approved.

After looking at the budget (not including grants, ARPA funding, emergency reserves and cash reserves), Fritz provided an estimate of 44% for this fiscal year and 46% for next year if the raises were passed. In other words, a change of 2%.

“To me, that’s good in the aspect that it’s under half,” commented Dennis, noting that hiring a contractor tends to come in at around 65% labor and 45% parts.

“It’s an interesting statistic because obviously one of your biggest things is your people. It’s your biggest expense and that’s to be expected in almost anything any more.”

Crook is not the only county looking at its salaries and the suggested increases are relatively modest, said Fritz. Some counties are taking $20,000 jumps in the first year, she pointed out, and the only increase comparable for Crook County is its attorney.

Even then, she stated that she feels this is fair.

“Honestly, they could go out and make so much more in private practice,” said Fritz.

By Wyoming State Statute, salaries for elected officials can only be set every four years and cannot be changed during a term of office.

The resolution increases the salary of the county attorney by $50,000. For all other elected positions (except one commission seat, which cannot be changed at this time because it is not up for election this year), incremental raises have been approved.

By 2026, the offices of county clerk, treasurer, assessor and Clerk of District Court will each receive a salary of $86,000. The sheriff will receive $102,000, two of the county commissioners will receive $33,000 and the county coroner will receive $54,000.

The resolution specifies that the commissioners will set the salary of the county commissioner whose term commences in January 2025 on or before June 1, 2024.