Salaries will increase 3% next year for all elected county officials, except Prosecuting Attorney Fred Feleppa and Sheriff Scott Strait, who each will receive a 2% pay raise. County commissioners made the decision Thursday, October 23, with one commissioner absent and another voting against the motion.

Commissioners Larry Leveille, Carl Frazier, and Chair Dawn Nelson say the prosecutor and sheriff will get lower raises to bring the salaries more closely in line with those of their subordinates, Assistant Prosecutor Kayla Nixon and Undersheriff Darrell Sadler, who each were given a 3% increase in pay.

Commissioner Mike Patrick was absent from the meeting and Commissioner Calvin "Bucky" McPhee voted against the pay variation, saying the difference in job responsibilities merited the difference in pay. He favored a 3% increase for all elected officials.

Prosecutor Feleppa and Sheriff Strait attended the meeting.

Prosecutor Feleppa's salary will increase from $76,213.42 to $77,737.68. Mrs. Nixon's pay will move from $43,260 to $44,557.80 beginning in January.

Sheriff Strait's salary will increase from $51,825.05 to $52,861.55. Undersheriff Sadler's salary will rise from $47,103.25 to $48,516.47.

Three percent increases for other elected officials include Clerk Mary Kay Tamlyn from $47,481.93 to $48,906.38.

Salary for the treasurer will increase from $43,254.82 to $44,552.46, and salary for the register of deeds will increase from $44,929.31 to $46,277.18.

Pay for county and county road boards will remain $5,049 for the chairs and $4,222 for commissioners. They also will receive $60 a day for the first meeting attended and an additional $50 for any second meeting held the same day.

No changes in pay were made for the Canvassing Board, Planning Commission, Economic Development Corporation, Housing Commission, Jury Board, and Plat Board, members of which will each receive $60 a day for meetings and 58.5¢ a mile.

Meal allowances are $8 for breakfast and lunch and $20 for dinner.