The Greene County Board of Supervisors met in special session earlier this month to hear the county elected officials and what they wanted for pay increases.

According to County Auditor Billie Jo Hoskins, County Recorder Deb McDonald asked the Board to continue to stay within the median salary range compared to the other county recorders in the state and wanted a three-percent raise.

Hoskins stated that her office has taken on new responsibilities such as drainage district work and elections have become more scrutinized over the years, which has required more work on their end. She asked for a 3.5 percent salary increase. County Attorney Thomas Laehn felt he was compensated for his office very well and that his salary remains in the middle with other county attorneys in the state and asked for a three percent increase.

County Treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen mentioned to the Board about the decreases in overall expenses for her office, as well as the increases in revenues that she has brought. According to Hoskins, Mechaelsen requested a 3.25 percent increase, which is a total of $9,500 that she wanted to distribute to not only herself, but the three other employees in her office.

County Sheriff Jack Williams was seeking a 4.5 percent increase, which he explained would provide more flexibility to give additional wages to his deputies instead of everyone getting the same percentage. He added that with the percentage increase, that would put the wages of his deputies within $5,000 of the state average.

This is the second year that the Supervisors are directly involved in the discussions for salary increases with other county elected officials. Last year, the Iowa Legislature gave the Supervisors the authority to be their own County Compensation Board, which they took over that responsibility for the 2026 fiscal year. Previously, each county elected official had a representative on a Compensation Board that would advocate for their elected official and what salary percentage increase they wanted.

Board Chair John Muir felt that the second time around was smoother and allowed for a more comfortable environment, just because everyone had been through the process before.

“And the discussion was very open and what the elected officials came in with were very responsible requests, and well thought out. And I think thought out from both sides to, you know, what needs to be done to show the appreciation for the job their doing and also what we can afford. No, I think it went very well.” 

The Supervisor also discussed their own salary increase, which a majority didn’t feel they wanted to take an increase at this time. No formal action was taken by the Supervisors and all requests will be taken into consideration during budgetary time ahead of the 2027 fiscal year.