After initially backing a pay raise for elected officials, La Plata County commissioners on Wednesday took a step back.
County Commissioner Brad Blake, a Republican, was the most vocal on the subject, suggesting that it is an inappropriate time for a salary increase – noting expected rising property taxes from higher valuations and declining county revenues stemming from a lagging natural-gas industry.
“I’m concerned what that will look like as far as the people in the county are concerned who haven’t necessarily had any raises for a long time,” Blake said.
The state Legislature this year quickly passed legislation late in the session that offered elected officials across the state a pay raise as high as 30 percent in some instances. Lawmakers tentatively agreed at the time to revisit the issue next year with a bill that would allow counties to opt out of the salary increases. Colorado Counties, Inc., which represents counties in the Legislature, said it will be working with lawmakers on a measure next year.
Currently, however, commissioners point out that their hands are tied. The first increases for La Plata County officials are set to take effect in 2017. Commissioners Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff, both Democrats, would see their salaries spike 30 percent from $72,500 to $94,250. Because Blake was elected recently, his salary would not increase until 2019, when it would rise to $98,058.
The sheriff’s salary would increase 35.25 percent from $87,700 to $118,616 in 2019; assessor, clerk and treasurer salaries would jump 35.25 percent from $72,500 to $98,058 in 2019; the coroner would see a salary increase of 35.35 percent from $44,200 to $59,781 in 2019; and the surveyor’s salary would move up 35.25 percent from $4,400 to $5,951 in 2019.
County commissioners back in April voiced their support for the state legislation that approved the salary increases, sending a letter to Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, on the subject. County elected officials have not received a salary increase since 2007. But Blake said circumstances have changed.
“I did support it, and I do support it. I feel there are some people that definitely could use a raise,” he said. “But things have also changed a little bit since then.”
Lachelt said she is hearing from other commissioners in other counties that there is a desire for more local control: “I heard that loud and clear,” she said.
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
