LAWRENCE CO. – Lawrence County Council members started finalizing budget numbers for the final budget adoption on October 28, 2021.
The meeting which started at 6 p.m. lasted until approximately 10:00 p.m.
This year all elected leaders will receive a significant raise to be able to align Lawrence County with the same level of pay as comparable counties. The county commissioners conducted a $41,000 study in 2019, to determine where the county elected leaders and employees fell in wage comparison.
The wage increase was passed in a 6-1 vote with Councilman Rick Butterfield opposing the raise. He recommended raise increases to be done in increments.
“The elected leaders knew how much they were getting when they ran for the job,” said Butterfield.
Janie Craig Chenault told those in attendance, “Those running for office spend a significant amount of their own money to run for the office and they need this raise.”
Councilman Scott Smith stated the salary committee devoted a significant amount of time to determine the salaries for this year’s budget. Smith said the county has plenty of money to cover these raises.
County employees will receive a 6 percent raise with employees of 5-10 years of service receiving a $500 stipend.
The 2022 elected official salaries are:
- Clerk – 2021 – $43,444 increased to $52,046
- Auditor – 2021 – $44,530 increased to $53,625
- Treasurer – 2021 – $43,200 increased to $50,507
- Recorder – 2021 – $43,200 increased to $49,817
- Sheriff – 2021 – $105,000 remained the same in 2022
- Surveyor – 2021 – $31,580 increased to $34,107
- Coroner – 2021 – $19.706 increased to $21,282
- Assessor – 2021 – $44,530 increased to $52,251
- County Commissioner – 2021 – $66,117 increased to $70,084 divded by 3 commissioners
- County Council – 2021 – $52,875 increased to $56,048 divded by 7 council members
