Raises all around

Both elected and non-elected officials of Jasper County were recommended by the compensation board Monday night to receive 3 percent increases to their salaries in 2020. The recommendation will eventually be brought before the Jasper County Board of Supervisors for final approval.

Of the elected officials in Jasper County, the county attorney and sheriff have the highest annual salaries of $122,193 and $112,928, respectively. The county auditor, recorder and treasurer all share the same annual salary of $76,574. The supervisors make $42,020 per year, and, historically, vote “no” against their own salary increases.

If all elected officials receive their recommended pay increase, their salaries would alter to an estimated (rounded to the nearest dollar):

• $125,859 — county attorney

• $115,187 — sheriff

• $78,871 — auditor, recorder and treasurer

• $43,281 — supervisors

Of the non-elected officials in Jasper County, the highest annual salary is devoted to the engineer at $119,422 per year, followed by the IT director and human resources director at $90,671 and $90,056.

On an annual basis, the CPC makes $87,569; assessor makes $84,124; conservation director makes $84,124; public health director makes $80,587; maintenance director makes $80,534; emergency management director makes $75,124; planning and zoning director makes $68,571; congregate meals director makes $57,432; and veterans affairs director makes $50,733.

If all non-elected officials receive their recommended pay increase, their salaries would alter to an estimated (rounded to the nearest dollar):

• $123,005 — engineer

• $93,391 — IT director

• $92,758 — human resources director

• $90,196 — CPC

• $86,934 — assessor

• $86,648 — conservation director

• $83,005 — public health director

• $82,950 — maintenance director

• $77,378 — emergency management director

• $70,628 — planning and zoning director

• $59,155 — congregate meals director

• $52,255 — veterans affairs director

Before the compensation board cast their votes, member Larry Pauley, who represents the supervisors, argued the pay of both the sheriff and county attorney should be the same. He also had a problem with the engineer making more money than the sheriff.

“I think the attorney and the sheriff are equal,” Pauley said, “I know the sheriff has many more employees working under him but I would prefer if the sheriff were at least equal with the county attorney.”

According to documents provided to the compensation board, the data indicates that county attorneys are oftentimes paid more than sheriffs.

When compared to similar counties, the county attorney in Des Moines County — which was ranked No. 16 in population, underneath Jasper County at No. 17 — reportedly earns roughly $18,000 less than the sheriff ($110,744 versus $92,029). The scenario is somewhat similar to the No. 18 Webster County, too ($120,000 versus $96,000).

Pauley added, “I also think the sheriff’s people are out (there) faced with things that are going on in the world ... I know the county attorney can probably get shot at but not near as much as the sheriff’s department’s people.”

Although he respected Pauley’s comments, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said he did not necessarily agree and does not have an issue with the county attorney having a higher pay.

“I get paid a pretty good salary when you compare it to other sheriffs, and I appreciate that,” Halferty said. “The county attorney’s office provides all advice and input from just about everything from a jail civil issue to litigation, criminal charges.”

Compensation board members also questioned the county engineer’s high salary as well. Jasper County Auditor Dennis Parrott reminded the board every county engineer has a contract with his or her respective board of supervisors and are handled “totally different.” He also noted it is difficult to hire an engineer and can oftentimes set their salaries.

“It’s not that I think a county engineer should be paid more than a sheriff or a county attorney — I don’t think they should,” Parrott said. “But they just have that leverage because they are a contract employee and there are very few of them in the state of Iowa.”

Despite compensation board members’ objections to certain salaries, no action or recommendations to increase or decrease them were issued. The board voted unanimously in favor of the 3 percent salary increase for elected and non-elected officials.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com