A new state law that went into effect on July 1 dissolved all current county compensation boards and gave individual county boards of supervisors the option to either reestablish their boards or leave the task of setting pay for elected officials to themselves. During Wednesday morning’s regular meeting, the Marshall County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to reestablish a compensation board while acknowledging that they will need to recruit an additional member going forward.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jarret Heil provided a bit of background on the legislative change and the requirements for individuals who wish to serve on the compensation board, explaining that around the region, it’s something of a “mixed bag” on which counties are keeping them and which ones aren’t.

“It kind of seemed like there were some little disagreements between compensation boards and boards (of supervisors) where they didn’t necessarily work the best together or whatever it (may) be. It seems that’s where the boards decided to just take it themselves,” Heil said. “(There are) those that do have good relationships with the compensation boards and see the value in it for the ones that are keeping it, and that’s where I believe we’re feeling today on this.”

Fellow Supervisor Carol Hibbs said she appreciated the compensation board’s work, and Steve Salasek said he had “changed his mind” after initially feeling that such boards were unnecessary.

“The more I’ve thought about it, I think it’s something that we really oughta try to continue to work with,” he said.

One current member of the compensation board, Sheriff’s representative Mark Eaton, was in the audience and told the supervisors he “thought they were doing good” when asked if he had any input. Auditor/Recorder Nan Benson commented that working with the compensation board, whose members make recommendations for pay increases that then go to the board of supervisors for either approval or reduction, has “always been an interesting process” and “fun to watch.”

Because the supervisors themselves are ultimately responsible for setting the salaries — including their own — Heil said it can be awkward, and he appreciated having an independent outside body to assist in the process.

“It can be a very political decision,” he said.

“I think in today’s hiring environment, it just makes sense to keep an independent group,” Hibbs added.

After Hibbs made a motion to establish the compensation board, Harold Lanning, who had previously served on the Marshall County Compensation Board, stepped forward and advocated for keeping it intact.

“It was always a fair, accurate assessment, comparing other counties of comparable size and so forth and bringing a recommendation. And obviously it’s up to the supervisors to accept or reduce it or whatever, so I think it’s great,” he said. “It does put it in the hands of the taxpayers.”

He also expressed confusion about why the law was changed, and Heil said there were examples in other counties where the supervisors “blindly accepted” whatever numbers the compensation recommended. Conversely, there were some situations where the board of supervisors “stripped down” the recommendations, and members of those compensation boards didn’t feel that their efforts were worthwhile.

“I think this is a good solution. It really gave an option for counties, and this option is a good one, I think, for us to continue with the compensation board. And thanks for your service on the compensation board when you were on it,” Heil said to Lanning.

“And by the way, I didn’t receive a dime for it,” Lanning replied.

Salasek asked if there was any sunset on the establishment of the compensation board, and Benson said that could be determined by the supervisors, who can make a change at any point down the line. County Engineer Paul Geilenfeldt sought clarification on the provision of the law that says the compensation board “shall” include seven members.

In recent years, Marshall County’s board has only had six members because the auditor and recorder positions are combined — one of the only counties in the state where such an arrangement is present. County Attorney Jordan Gaffney then told the board they would have to have seven members due to the word “shall.”

Benson, therefore, will have two representatives going forward, and an amended resolution passed by a unanimous 3-0 vote.

“The compensation board is back,” Heil said.

The compensation board usually meets in December or January of each calendar year so that the pay increases for each of the county’s elected officials — sheriff, auditor/recorder, county attorney, the three supervisors and county treasurer — can be formally approved in time for budget season. Last year, it consisted of Eaton as the sheriff’s representative, Auditor/Recorder Representative Doug Beals, Board of Supervisors Representatives Gary McKibbin and Robert Thomas, Treasurer Representative Tom Swartz and County Attorney Representative Tom McCoy.

——

Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.