PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson county commissioners are preparing to raise elected officials’ salaries as neighboring Clallam County, a commissioner has broached cutting theirs (see accompanying story).
The three Jefferson County commissioners are expected to raise the pay for six elected officials when they meet at 9 a.m. Monday at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
The salary hikes are on the consent agenda, meaning they may not be discussed before they are approved.
The higher salaries, which would take effect in January, are tied to the salaries of Superior Court judges, which are set by the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials.
That salary was increased to $156,363 on Sept. 1.
The salaries for assessor, auditor, clerk and treasurer would be 47 percent of this amount, raising their annual pay from $71,980 to $73,490.
The sheriff would get 56 percent, increasing the salary from $85,015 to $87,563.
The prosecuting attorney’s pay would be 84 percent of the judge’s salary — or $131,344.
The state contributes to the prosecuting attorney’s pay an amount equal to half that of a Superior Court judge, with the county matching or exceeding that amount.
As of January, the county’s share would rise from $52,602 annually to $53,163, while the state would pay $78,182.
A raise for county commissioners from $63,926 to $73,951 was adopted in March and will take effect in January 2017.