Panel increases pay for county elected officials

Pay raises ranging from three to 10 percent were listed Monday in a report from the county's Citizens Committee on Salaries for Elected Officials. The report was relayed to the public by County Auditor Eunice Coker.

The salary adjustments are based on a comparative analysis with the average salaries for the same positions in five other counties in the state that are comparable to Whitman County. They included Douglas, Jefferson, Kittitas, Okanogan and Stevens counties.

At the low end of the hikes was three percent for the commissioners, who will now make $72,252 per year. Top pay hike went to the sheriff, who will receive a 10 percent boost to $104,280 per year.

A six percent hike to $75,840 per year was assigned to the assessor, auditor, court clerk and treasurer. The county coroner was also allowed a six percent hike to $76,872.

The pay hike for 2019 follows a hike at the start of this year with a 2.5 percent cost of living adjustment.

Increased cost for the pay hikes will be $28,173 for the 2019 budget.