Discussion of salaries for elected county officials once again took up a large portion of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners' meeting on Tuesday (Dec. 16).
The elected officials - Sheriff, Assessor, Treasurer, Clerk, Clerk of the District Court and Attorney - came before the board with information about salaries for those in similar offices in other counties.
It was noted that for 2025, the salaries of several of these officials is $81,000. This number was incorrectly reported in an earlier article and Treasurer Lisa Lindsay said she had received several questions regarding this number. The $88,920.50 that was printed was the amount proposed by the officials for a salary in 2027. The salary for these officials will be $83,500 for 2026.
Lindsay shared information on proposed salaries and told the commissioners "we only get to do this once every four years. We feel this is important for retention and recruitment."
She said the officials suggested a salary of $90,000 for 2027 and an increase of $3,300 for each of the next three years which would result in a salary of $99,900 for 2030.
Commissioner Terry Sievers said "the taxpayers can vote anyone in and vote anyone out."
He said he had collected information on the average salaries of 15 counties within the state with similar populations and listed the numbers he had arrived at.
Lindsay said that "all boarding counties have more employees than those in the Wayne County offices. We (Wayne County employees) are doing multiple jobs and the elected officials are not just figure heads."
She added that "this is not an easy job" and encouraged the commissioners to attend a Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) budget meeting on Dec. 18 to get information on what salaries in other counties are.
Commissioner Sievers suggested a counter offer of $88,500 for 2027 with a $3,150 increase for each of next three years.
Following the discussion, the commissioners voted to table the item until the next meeting.
Commissioners also voted salaries for the commissioners for the coming year.
Emergency Manager Nic Kemnitz asked permission to attend the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers 2026 Annual Conference on Jan. 24 in Kearney.
Kemnitz told the commissioners he has been asked to present on emergency management topics.
Commissioner Sievers encouraged Kemnitz to attend as "it is a good thing to share ideas with other communities."
In other action, commissioners approved a Road Transfer Fund of $1 million.
City Treasurer Lisa Lindsay spoke to the board and noted that "it is important for you (commissioners) to pay attention of the balances in the funds to make sure there is money to pay the claims. I need to know if there is going to be a large purchase before that takes place so I can transfer funds if need be."
Authorization was also given for the County Treasurer to invest and re-invest county funds. Lindsay noted that this was an annual housekeeping task and that the county has money in every bank in the county.
Commissioners approved an update to the personnel manual in regard to county property. This is in regard to rebates and other "perks" which need to stay with the county.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. in the Wayne County Courtroom.
