Commissioners Approve Elected Officials Pay Increase on 2 to 1 Vote

On a split vote, the Cherry County Commissioners approved an 18% annual pay raise for elected county officials at their regular meeting this past Tuesday. The raise will go into effect in 2027.  It will also include a 3% cost of living pay increase. Commissioner DeNaeyer was the lone member that voted against the increase. Those offices included would include Assessor, Treasurer, Clerk and Sheriff's office. Currently elected officials are paid about $61,000 per year before benefits.  The raise will mean salaries will increase to around $70,000 per year.

 Other elected officials had asked the commissioners for the increase to keep up with comparable Nebraska counties with similar valuations. The Nebraska Association of County Employees had also recommended an increase.