The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors acknowledged the annual salary recommendations from the county’s compensation Board on Tuesday—a key step in shaping pay for elected officials in the coming fiscal year.
The seven‑member citizen panel, made up of residents with wage knowledge but not employed by the county, met Nov. 19 and unanimously backed a 3 percent across‑the‑board increase for all elected officials: the county attorney, auditor, recorder, treasurer, sheriff, and supervisors. The plan also continues longevity bonuses and adds stipends—$2,000 for the board of supervisors chair, $500 for the vice chair, and $5,000 for the auditor serving as budget director.
On Tuesday morning, compensation board representative Mike Sandhoff presented the proposal.
Sandhoff said the board relied on statewide Iowa State Association of Counties rankings, consumer indexes, and cost‑of‑living data.
Supervisor Chair Paul Merten highlighted how smoothly the compensation board reached consensus this year.
Sandhoff agreed.
The board must act on the proposal before certifying the county’s next fiscal year budget in March. Supervisors retain the authority to reduce or eliminate the suggested adjustments, but Tuesday’s unanimous recommendation signals agreement and sets the stage for the county’s budget debate in the months ahead.
