Curry approves resolution to increase elected officials' salaries

The Curry County Commission in a 4-1 vote approved a resolution that would give the county’s elected officials a 6.5% increase in their salaries.

At their regular meeting Thursday, Chairman Robert Thornton was the only one who openly expressed that he was not in favor of the increase.

“If you’re there (as an elected official) for the monetary part of it, then you’re in it for the wrong reasons,” Thornton said.

While he understands the logistics of the salary increase, Thornton said he fights this action item every time it comes around.

“It’s a calling; it’s a service,” Thornton said.

County Manager Lance Pyle told the commission how they adopted a resolution that would increase the salary by 10% back in 2021. However, that only applied to the sheriff, assessor, probate judge, and commission districts 1 and 3.

The resolution stated that on January 1, 2025, the salary of the clerk, treasurer, and commission districts 2, 4 and 5 would then also receive the 10% increase.

“The problem is they have been at that salary the entire time. When they take office January 1, 2025, their salary is locked in for four years, because they can’t get a salary increase during their term,” Pyle said.

Pyle said he was wanting to increase these salaries by another 6.5%, totaling a 16.5% increase altogether.

Commissioner Dusty Leatherwood said he didn’t care much for an increase for the commissioners, but he believes those who are in an elected position as their full-time job deserve it.

“This is not what we do for a job,” Leatherwood said. “But, they’re important. This does make a difference in their lives.”

With this increase, the new salaries starting January 1, 2025 are as follows:

• Clerk: $72,281.38

• Treasurer: $72,281.38

• Commission Districts 2, 4, and 5: $28,818.07

Effective January, 1, 2027:

• Sherriff: $75,382.24

• Assessor: $72,281.38

• Probate Judge: $25,292.89

• Commission Districts 1 and 3: $28,818.07.

“I think this is definitely needed… Our elected department heads, they have a lot of responsibility,”Pyle said.