La Plata County commissioners on Tuesday opted not to take a position on a state proposal to give 20 percent raises to elected county officials, including commissioners, beginning with their next terms in office.
The salaries are set in state law. Last year, the Legislature appointed a salary commission of county officials to look at pay levels. The commission’s recommendations for higher salaries are expected to be considered by the Legislature during the current session.
The proposal put county commissioners in an awkward position, potentially lobbying for what could be their future salaries if re-elected. Adding to the commissioners’ reluctance, the county’s 2014 budget, approved in December, includes no cost-of-living or merit raises for the county’s 403 employees.
“It would be inconsistent to approve that budget and then support this bill,” Commissioner Bobby Lieb said.
The salary increases also would cost county taxpayers $128,722 between 2015 and 2017, when the increases would take effect.
County elected officials last gained a raise in 2007.
Commissioners heard public comment both supporting and opposing the state proposal.
Sheriff Duke Schirard, who has served as sheriff since 1995, said he is paid less than comparable police chiefs and state police captains.
“I’d like to put a little bit away for my retirement,” he said.
Schirard earns $87,700 a year. In comparison, Durango Police Chief Jim Spratlen earns $112,549.
Under the state salary committee’s proposal, the county sheriff would earn $105,240 beginning in 2015. Schirard is running for re-election.
County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Parker also asked commissioners to support the salary bill. She said counties risk not being able to attract qualified candidates to run for office. She added that county clerks are expected to do more.
“What our responsibilities consist of are increasing every year,” she said.
Clerks would get a raise to $87,000, up from $72,500, according to the state proposal.
Parker noted if the proposal is not enacted, county elected officials’ next chance to get a raise won’t come until 2019.
The state proposal would boost salaries for the county sheriff, treasurer, assessor, clerk, coroner, surveyor and commissioners.
The commissioners also heard at their Tuesday meeting from Barry Perkins of Bayfield, who urged the board to oppose the salary boost.
“The way the budget is set, this isn’t a good idea,” he said.
The county’s 2014 budget is projected to eat $10.1 million into reserves.
State Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, said she wants to see the proposal in the form of legislation before she takes a position.
“I do understand both sides of it,” she said. “The key will be what’s in a bill that’s proposed up here.”
Roberts said she had been contacted by many county officials who were concerned counties would not be able to attract qualified elected officials for positions that require a specific skill set, such as sheriff or assessor. Roberts represents eight counties in Southwest Colorado.
“We certainly want well-qualified people in those positions,” she said. “I think they’re very important.”
However, she said it’s still a difficult time to persuade the public that elected officials should be paid more.
“There are a lot of my constituents who feel they haven’t personally felt the recovery,” she said. “They don’t have a lot of sympathy because they’re still struggling.”
State Rep. Mike McLachlan, D-Durango, said he hasn’t decided whether all of the proposed salary increases are justified or if only some of them are.
“I generally support public officials getting a fair salary,” he said.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
