Spencer, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — In the city budget passed this week, the Spencer City Council used a wage survey when they voted to increase the salaries and pay of city workers to reach parity with other cities and comparable jobs in the private sector. The Clay County board of supervisors also hired a wage survey to be performed and have received the recommendations from their advisor. The recommendation is a 6 percent across the board raise for elected officials, plus a 3 percent across the board raise for all county employees, which would bring the positions in Clay County to about the middle of the pack when compared to Iowa’s other 98 counties.

The County Attorney’s proposed salary of 131 thousand 720 would be 54th out of 99, and the Sheriff’s 123 thousand 600 dollars to 51st. The other proposed salaries would be: For the County Auditor: 88 thousand or 44th on the list. For the Treasurer: 86 grand and number 50. And just belove 85 thousand dollars for the Recorder, which would also rank 44th in the state.
Each of the County Supervisors would be paid 39 grand a year, 66 out of 99.

The increased wages will be a stand-alone item on next Tuesday’s agenda where they will also approve a budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1st. Pay increases for elected officials used to be recommended by a compensation board in each county, but the legislature has made those advisory boards optional. Like many others, Clay County opted to eliminate the comp boards, so supervisors had more leeway in determining salaries.