As they face less revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wasatch County Council Members are considering a pay raise for themselves next year.
Wasatch County Council discussed adjusting salaries at last week’s council meeting. Council members make between $27,000 and 30,000 a year, according toa government run website that tracks state employee payroll.
The council is considering a 2% pay increase to adjust for the cost of living in the county. Mike Davis is the county manager. He said they consider multiple factors when looking at how much to adjust salaries.
"We look at what the projected cost of living amounts are to Zions Bank and Wells Fargo," Davis said. "Then we try to factor in cost of living issues for our community, which aren't specifically addressed in those. We think we're probably just a titch low on the 2% this year for our community area. But due to budget concerns with the COVID we thought we would hold back just a little bit this year."
Council members aren’t the only county employees who could see a pay raise. Other elected officials like the county attorney, clerk, sheriff and county manager are on the list of employees looking at a 2% pay increase.
While the council seemed to unanimously agree that other elected officials should see a pay raise, Councilmember Mark Nelson suggested the council should be excluded from the raise this year.
Councilmember Jeff Wade agreed, but he said by not taking a pay raise, it could cause issues in the future.
"I hate to exploit ourselves," Wade said. "I think it does affect future councils. I sometimes think you don't get people to run because of that."
Councilmember Danny Goode said if they don’t adjust for the cost of living this year, then in 2021 they can’t retroactively add more adjustments.
"You're not going to do 5% for the council next year to make up for the two [percent] that you didn't do this year. And so it just kind of is compounding in the wrong direction."
The council will vote on salary adjustments at their next meeting, Dec. 17.
