HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.16.26 Salary Commission PacketMASON COUNTY CITIZENS’ COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS (Salary Commission)
Meeting Agenda
Building 9 Conference Room, 415 North 5th Street, Shelton and Zoom
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87334596723
Meeting ID: 873 3459 6723
Monday, March 16, 2026
5:30 p.m.
1)Call to Order – Chair Jim Morrell
2)Roll Call
3)Approval of Minutes: November 12, 2024
4)Organizational Items
a.Review OPMA (Travis Adams)
b.Election of Officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary (Jim)
c.Approve Agenda Outline for Salary Commissions (Chair)
i.Administrative, Public Comment, Discussion, and Action
d.Review of Previous Resolutions & Salary Commission Work (Chair)
i.BOCC Resolution 2024-070
ii.Salary Commission Resolution 2024-01
iii.Salary Consideration – “Salary Considerations” - Affirm
5)Salary Commission 2026 Work (Chair)
a.Memo - Summary of 2026 MCSC Salary Work
b.Elected Officials Comps 2026_MC-HR 03-09-2026
c.Discuss Options for 2026 Decisions – To be made prior to May 1, 2026.
i.Review “Options for Consideration”
ii.Any additional or new considerations
iii.Any Additional Information or Next Steps
d.Staggering Terms – Information
6)Question/Answer/Discussion period for Salary Commission
7)Public Comment
3 minutes per person, 15-minute time limit; time may be adjusted by consensus of the Salary Commission
Public comment and testimony can be provided in -person, via Zoom, e-mail cpinkston@masoncountywa.gov or mail to the
Commissioners’ Office at 411 N 5th St, Shelton, WA 98584; or call (360) 427-9670 ext. 419.
8)Calendar
a.List Next Meeting Dates
i.March 23, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Commission Chambers
ii.March 30, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Commission Chambers (if necessary)
iii.April 6, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Commission Chambers (if necessary)
9)Adjourn
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MASON COUNTY CITIZENS’ COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
(Salary Commission)
Meeting Minutes
411 North 5th Street, Shelton and Zoom
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Meeting was held hybrid – in-person and via Zoom. Members in attendance: Jim Morrell, Chair;
Leeland Wells, Vice-Chair; Jann Goodpaster, Matt Mallery, Devin Ferner, and Brent Frahm.
Also in attendance: Mark Neary, County Administrator; Diane Zoren, Central Services Manager; and
McKenzie Smith, Clerk of the Board.
Chair Jim Morrell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and roll call was taken.
Adoption of April 22, 2024 Minutes
Jann/Leeland moved and seconded to approve the April 22, 2024 Salary Commission minutes as
amended. Motion carried.
Discussion/Recommendation to Stagger Terms
Jim recommended “for the lot-drawn positions, three of the six selected positions shall serve an
initial term ending December 31, 2026. The remaining three positions shall serve an initial term
ending December 31, 2028. For the appointed positions, two of the four appointments shall serve
an initial term ending December 31, 2026. The remaining two positions shall serve an initial term
ending December 31, 2028” and requested the lot draw districts from Auditor Duenkel. The Clerk
could send out an email to the individual Salary Commission members to see who would like to
extend their term. Diane added that a motion must be made to recommend amending the
Resolution to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
Jann/Brent moved and seconded to recommend to the BOCC to amend the Resolution to stagger
the initial Salary Commission member terms. Motion carried.
Review Lot-Drawn Procedures
Jim reviewed the lot draw procedures as provided by Auditor Duenkel. Under “Procedure”, item no.
6 should say “selected” instead of “appointed”. Mark added that a list is generated for each district
of forty (40) random individuals and the Auditor will contact each individual in the order generated.
Leeland suggested attaching a copy of the Qualification Survey to the procedures.
Mark reviewed the process for members appointed by the BOCC. Brent, for transparency and full
disclosure, requested a written process for advisory board appointments. Diane shared that an
Advisory Board handout is available online.
Recess was held from 6:14 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.
Jim noted that the prior motion to stagger terms will result in all Salary Commission positions being
up for reappointment in 2028. History will be useful for the process moving forward.
Devin/Jann moved and seconded to rescind the previous motion and instead recommend to the
BOCC to amend the Resolution to change Section 2 from December 31, 2028 to December 31,
2
2027 for both lot-drawn and appointed positions and Section 7b to state no later than May 1 every
year. Motion carried.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Minutes submitted by: McKenzie Smith, Clerk of the Board
MASON COUNTY CITIZENS’ COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
__________________________
Jim Morrell, Chair
3
Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)
Practical Compliance Guide for a 10-Member Salary Commission
Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30) requires that deliberations and decisions of governing
bodies occur openly. Because a Salary Commission determines compensation for elected officials, its
discussions and decisions must generally occur in properly noticed public meetings.
Key Rule for This Commission
This commission has 10 members. A quorum is 6 members. If six or more members discuss commission
business - in person, by phone, by video, or through coordinated communications - that interaction is
considered a meeting and must occur in a properly noticed public meeting open to the public.
Example Risk: Walking Quorum
Member A ®Member B ®Member C
¯¯
Member D ®Member E ®Member F
Even if fewer than six members speak at any one time, sequential conversations that collectively involve six or
more members discussing the same issue can create a walking quorum and violate the OPMA.
Practical Do's and Don'ts
DO DON'T
- Discuss salary decisions only during properly
noticed public meetings.
- Assume that if six or more members are
involved, the discussion must occur in public.
- Use email only to distribute materials or
coordinate schedules.
- Ask staff or legal counsel if you are unsure
whether a communication could create a quorum.
- Do not deliberate about compensation outside a
public meeting.
- Do not participate in email chains or group texts
debating salary proposals.
- Do not relay opinions between members to build
consensus outside a meeting.
- Do not make commitments or decisions before
the public meeting occurs.
Safe Communication Rules
- Staff may distribute information to members individually.
- Members may ask clarifying questions of staff.
- Avoid reply-all messages expressing opinions about commission decisions.
- When in doubt, wait and discuss the topic at the next public meeting.
Why Compliance Matters
If the OPMA is violated, actions taken by the commission may be invalidated by a court. Members who
knowingly participate in violations may also face personal civil penalties. Transparency protects both the public
and the commission.
44
Resolution No. aQ -
A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2024-027
MASON COUNTY CITIZENS' COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
TO STAGGER THE SALARY COMMISSION MEMBER TERMS AND SET SALARIES ON AN
ANNUAL BASIS
WHEREAS, consistent with the provisions of RCW 36.17.024, the Board of Mason County
Commissioners created the Mason County Salary Commission; and,
WHEREAS, on April 22,2024 the Mason County Salary Commission set the 2025 and 2026
salaries for the County Commissioners and the Assessor,Auditor, Clerk, Coroner,Treasurer and Sheriff;
and,
WHEREAS, for continuity and efficiency, it has been determined that the terms of the Salary
Commission members should be staggered and beginning in 2026(for 2027 salaries) salaries should be set
on an annual basis; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Mason County Commissioners to
amend Section 2: Terms as follows:
SECTION 1: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MASON COUNTY CITIZENS' COMMISSION ON
SALARIES
Consistent with the provisions of RCW 36.17.024 there is hereby created a Mason County Citizens'
Commission on Salaries (Commission)which shall set the salaries of the County Commissioners and the
Assessor, Auditor, Clerk, Coroner, Treasurer and Sheriff based on their study and analysis of the
relationship of the salaries to the duties / statement of work for each office and fix the salary for each
position. Except as provided in this resolution, the Commission shall be solely responsible for its
organization, and shall enjoy the fullest cooperation of all elected officials, departments, and agencies of
the County. The Commission will consist of ten(10)members. The composition of the Commission shall
be as follows:
a. Six of the ten members shall be selected by lot by the County Auditor from among those
registered voters eligible to vote at the time persons are selected for appointment to full terms
on the Commission under Section 2—Terms. The County Auditor shall select two commission
members living in each County Commissioner district. The County Auditor shall establish
policies and procedures for conducting the selection by lot. The policies and procedures shall
include but not be limited to,those for notifying persons selected for and for providing a new
selection from a County Commissioner's district if a person selected from the district declines
appointment to the Commission or,if,following the person's appointment,the persons position
on the Commission becomes vacant before the end of the person's term of appointment.
b. The remaining four.of the ten commission members must be residents of Mason County and
shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of County Commissioners. The persons
selected under this subsection shall have experience in the field of personnel management or a
related field.
c. Members of the Commission may not include any officer, official, or employee of Mason
County whose salary will be studied in the Commission's responsibilities set forth hereinafter,
nor any"immediate family member: of such officer, official or employee. "Immediate family
member"as used in this subsection means the parents, spouse,siblings, children,or dependent
relatives of the 6fficer, official or employee, whether or not living in the household of the
officer,official, or employee.
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SECTION 2: TERMS
For the lot-drawn positions,three of the six selected positions shall serve an initial term ending December
31,2026. The remaining three positions shall serve an initial term ending December 31,2027. For the
appointed positions,two of the four appointments shall serve an initial term ending December 31,2026.
The remaining two positions shall serve an initial term ending December 31,2027. Thereafter, all
members shall serve for two years. No person may be appointed to more than two terms.
No member of the Commission shall be removed by the Board of County Commissioners during his or her
term of office unless for cause of incapacity, incompetence, negligence of duty, or malfeasance, or for a
disqualifying change of residence. Removal will require a majority vote of the Board of County
Commissioners.
SECTION 3: VACANCIES
Upon a vacancy in any position on the Commission a successor shall be selected to and appointed to fill
the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment and the appointee shall fill the expired
term. The selection and appointment shall be concluded within thirty days of the date the position becomes
vacant and shall be conducted in the same manner as for the original appointment.
SECTION 4: OFFICERS
The Commission shall elect a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and such other officers as deemed necessary.
The Chair or his or her designee shall preside over all meetings and shall be a voting member of the
Commission.
SECTION 5: RULES REGULATIONS AND ASSISTANCE
The Commission shall be subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Act Chapter 42.30 RCW. The
Commission shall meet annually;however,the Commission may meet as frequently as it deems necessary.
It shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall further adopt bylaws for the transaction of business. The
setting of salaries shall be by an affirmative vote of not less than seven members.
The Auditor's Office staff working with the Human Resources Director of the County shall assist the
Commission by providing information and other such assistance as the Commission requests.
SECTION 6: COMPENSATION—EXPENSES
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation and 1 or per diem,however they will be
reimbursed for their mileage costs.
SECTION 7: POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION
a. The Commission shall prepare a schedule of salaries for the Board of Commissioners and other
elected officials for the succeeding calendar year.
b. The Commission shall set salaries of the County Commissioners and other Elected Officials.
Any change in salary shall be filed by the Commission with the County Auditor no later than
May 1, 2024, and beginning in 2026, no later than May 1' every year thereafter. The
Commission Chair shall sign each salary schedule filed,certifying that the schedules have been
prepared and filed in accordance with this resolution, state law, and any rules, if any, of the
Commission. Salaries filed shall become effective and incorporated into the county budget
without further action of the Board of County Commissioners or the salary commission and
become effective January lst of the following calendar year. If the initial determination of
salaries, after the Commission is formed, results in an increase in the salary to an elected
6
official, that increase shall take effect immediately upon filing of the salary with the County
Auditor payable as follows: 30 days after filing with the County Auditor when no referendum
petition is filed; upon a determination by the County Auditor that a referendum petition is
insufficient or invalid; upon approval of a vote of the people. All subsequent increases in
salary shall take effect on January 1st of the year following the filing with the County Auditor.
c. Salary increases established by the Commission shall be effective as to all County
Commissioners and Elected Officials regardless of their term in office.
d. The action of fixing the salary of the County Commissioners and Elected Officials shall
supersede any other provision of county ordinance related to budgets or fixing of salaries.
e. Salary decreases established by the Commission shall become effective as to incumbent County
Commissioners and Elected Officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms in
office.
SECTION 8: REFERENDUM
Salary increases and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of Mason
County pursuant to the process detailed in RCW 36.17.024(8)(b)(9)and(10).
SECTION 9:SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
remainder of the resolution or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not
affected.
DATED this day of 2024.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: MASON COUNTY,WASHINGTON.
McKenzie SmiVi,Cl k of the Board Ran Neatherlin,Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Kevin Shutty,Vic u
Tim Whitehead,Chief Deputy Prosecuting a
Attorney Sharon Trask,Commissioner
7
Resolution No. 2024-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE MASON COUNTY CITIZENS' COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED
OFFICIALS (SALARY COMMISSION)
ESTABLISHING MASON COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES
WHEREAS, consistent with the provisions of Board of Commissioners of Mason County Resolution No.
2024-002, the Mason County Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials shall prepare a
schedule of salaries for the Board of Commissioners and other elected officials, specifically the Assessor,
Auditor, Clerk, Coroner, Treasurer and Sheriff; and
WHEREAS, the Salary Commission shall set salaries of the County Commissioners and other Elected
Officials and file with the County Auditor no later than May 1, 2024, and no later than May ist every two
years thereafter; and
WHEREAS, the Salary Commission Chair shall sign each salary schedule filed, certifying that the
schedules have been prepared and filed in accordance with this resolution, state law, and any rules , if
any, of the Commission; and
WHEREAS, the salaries filed shall become effective and incorporated into the county budget without
further action of the Board of County Commissioners or the Salary Commission and become effective
January 1st of the following calendar year; and
WHEREAS, if the initial determination of salaries, after the Commission is formed, results in an increase
in the salary to an elected official, that increase shall take effect immediately up on filing ofthe salary
with the County Auditor with all subsequent increases in salary shall take effect on January 1st of the
year following the filing with the County Auditor payable as follows: 30 days after filing with the County
Auditor when no referendum petition is filed; upon a determination by the County Auditor that a
referendum petition is insufficient or invalid; upon approval of a vote of the people; and
WHEREAS, salary increases ·established by the Commission shall be effective as to all County
Commissioners and Elected Officials regardless of their term in office; and
__ WHEREAS, the action of fixing the salary of the County Commissioners and Elected Officials shall
supersede any other provision of county ordinance/resolution related to budgets or fixing of salaries;
and
WHEREAS, salary decreases established by the Commission shall become effective as to incumbent
County Commissioners and Elected Officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms in
office; and
8
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mason County Citizens' Commission on Salaries files the
following salary schedule for establishing Mason County Elected Officials:
Salary January 1, 2025* January 1, 2026
Assessor $104,501 $104,501
Auditor $104,501 $104,501
Clerk $104,501 $104,501
Coroner $104,501 $104,501
County Commissioners $104,501 $104,501
Sherriff $164,232 $164,232
Treasurer $104,501 $104,501
*If the initial Salary Commission salary determination is an increase from current and, therefore,
would be effective May 1, 2024.
DATED this 22nd day of April, 2024
ATIEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM :
----Tim Whitehead, Chief Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney
MASON COUNTY SALARY COMMISSION
APPROVED :
9
10
MEMORANDUM
To: Mason County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials
From: Jim Morrell, Chair
Subject: Summary of 2026 MCSC Salary Work
This memo provides a review of the past and present work for the Salary Commission. The
attached spreadsheets detail the calculations for current consideration.
Background
• The Salary Commission previously convened in March/April 2024 to determine the
salaries for all Mason County Elected Officials. The decisions reached were codified in
Resolution 2024-001. The Salary Commission determined an increase which was
effective May 1, 2024, that was continued through 2025 to December 31, 2026
(salaries have been the same for 2 years, 6 months, ending 12/31/2026).
• The Salary Commission established “Mason County Elected Officials – Salary
Considerations” as a foundational rationale for its work then and going forward.
• There were nine comparable counties used to determine a median (middle; half above
and half below) used to compare against the current Mason County elected officials
salaries. Increases were determined to increase salaries to the “Peer Median”.
• The exception was the Sheriff’s salary which was established as the Undersheriff’s,
Step 10 +5%.
Current Analysis
• Summary of Comparable Counties (p. 1) – The current Mason County elected officials
salaries as well as the current comparable counties elected officials salaries are used
to determine the median. Currently, Mason County elected officials salaries are 12.0%
below the median and the Sheriff is 5.8% above the median.
• Increased for 7/1/2026 (p. 2) – The Superior Court Judge Salary effective 7/1/2026 is
used (in most cases) to determine elected officials salaries. The percentages under
each county are used for each position. The increased median places Mason County
elected officials 14.6% below the median and the Sheriff 2.7% above the median.
• Options for Consideration (p. 3) – The options for consideration for salary changes
effective January 1, 2027:
o Option A – Peer Median (+17%) – Uses the same process used by the Salary
Commission in 2024 and would result in a 17% increase.
o Option B – State COLA (+5%) – This approach utilizes a 3% and 2% COLA
increased used by Washington State for 2025 and 2026.
o Option C – Kititas County COLA (+6%/+3%) – Kititas County’s Salary
Commission choose to increase salaries by 6% for the BOCC and 3% for the
other elected officials (except the Sheriff). This is a mid-range adjustment
approach.
11
o Option D - Change to % Superior Court Judge (SJC) (+24% for BOCC; +
21% for Coroner; +19% for other elected officials except Sheriff) – The
average percentage of SCJ for each count was used and ranged between 51%
and 53% of the SCJ salary.
o Option E – Other - The Salary Commission may choose for January 1, 2027, to
increase, decrease, or keep the same any or all of the elected officials salaries.
If the Salary Commission decision does not reach any decision by May 1, 2026,
the salaries would all stay the same.
• Sheriff’s Salary:
o Option 1 – Using the same approach, +5% over the Undersheriff, Step 10,
would result in a +2.0% increase or 4.8% above the median.
o Option 2 – Keep the Sheriff’s salary the same, no change, which would be
2.7% above the median.
o Option 3 – Decrease the Sheriff’s salary to the peer median, -2.6% decrease.
o Option 4 – Other - The Salary Commission may choose for January 1, 2027, to
increase, decrease, or keep the same any or all the elected officials’ salaries. If
the Salary Commission decision does not reach any decision by May 1, 2026,
the salaries would all stay the same.
Policy Options
1. Move to peer median (+17%): aligns Mason with market.
2. Apply State COLA only (+5%): fiscally conservative.
3. Kittitas model (3% most roles, 6% BOCC): mid‑range adjustment.
4. Adopt SCJ % model (+19–23%): predictable and externally benchmarked.
Recommendation
The Board should determine which approach best balances fiscal responsibility, equity,
transparency, and long‑term sustainability.
12
Summary of Comparable Counties
* = County Manager/Administrator
Effective:1/1/2026 (for other counties from 7/1/2025 Superior Court Salaries)
Assessor Auditor Clerk Coroner Sheriff Treasurer
1 Mason 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ $ 104,501 164,232$ 104,501$
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
17
18 Notes:
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/9/2026 p. 1 of 3
1313
19 INCREASED for 7/1/26 Superior
Court Increase Assessor Auditor Clerk Coroner Sheriff Treasurer
20 Mason 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 164,232$ 104,501$
21 7/1/2026
22 WCCSEO - Superior Court Judges
7/1/2026 237,460$ 244,631$ 2%for statewide elected
officials
23
Clallam*,
AS-50%; AD-50%; CC-50%; S-
72%; T-50%
122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ Combined 122,316$ 176,134$ 122,316$
24
Cowlitz,
AS-50%; AD-50%; CL-50%; CR-
50%; CC=50%; S-62%; T-50%
122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 151,671$ 122,316$
25
Kittitas,
BOCC 6% increase
Other elected 3% increase
$ 122,179 $ 122,179 $ 122,179 $ 122,179 $ 131,116 $ 154,000 $ 122,179
26
Grays Harbor (*), (97%)
AS-43%; AD-43%; CL-43%; CR-
45%; CC=43%; S-80%; T-50%
122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 195,705$ 122,316$
27
Island* (97%)
AD-49.59%; CL-49.59%;
CR-49.59%; CC-51%; T-49.59%
$ 121,313 $ 121,313 $ 121,313 Combined 125,276$ 156,564$ $ 121,313
28
Jefferson
AD-50.8%; CL-50.8%; CR-50.8%;
CC-50.8%; T-50.8%
124,224$ 124,224$ 124,224$ Combined 124,224$ 159,915$ 124,224$
29
Lewis*, (98%)
45.5%; S-68%; T-45.5%
BOCC +3%
111,307$ 111,307$ 111,307$ 111,307$ 103,863$ 166,349$ 112,530$
30
Skagit, (96%)
AS-65%; AD-65%; CL-65%; CR-
65%; CC-68%; S-85%; T-65%
159,010$ 159,010$ 159,010$ 159,010$ 166,349$ 207,936$ 159,010$
31
Walla Walla
AD-50%; CL-50%; CR-50%; CC-
50%; S-64%; T-50%
122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 156,564$ 122,316$
32 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 159,915$ 122,316$
33
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/9/2026 p. 2 of 3
14
38 Target Salary = Median (using 7/1/2026 Comparables)
39 ALL POSITIONS
(except Sherriff)Assessor Auditor Clerk Coroner
County
Commissioner Sheriff Treasurer
40 Current Salary (est. 5/1/2024)104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$ 104,501$
41 Median 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$
42
43 Increase 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$
44
45 New Salary - 1/1/2027 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$
46
47 Options for Consideration
48 A) Peer Median (Use the 2024 method)122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$
49
50
51
52
53
54 C) Use Kititas COLA (6%/3%)$ 107,636 $ 107,636 $ 107,636 107,636 $ 110,771 $ 107,636
55 3135 3135 $ 3135 6,2703135 $ 3135
56 3%%3%3%3%6%3%
57
D) Change to % of SCJ
Counties, not including Kittitas; and
not Kit or Lewis for BOCC )51% 51% 51%52%53%51%
58
59
60
61
62 Sherriff Current Salary 164,232$
63
64
65
66
67
B) Use State COLA (2025 & 2026 was
3% & 2%, respectively)
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/9/2026 p. 3 of 3
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PAGE 1
APPENDIX
March 16, 2024
Salary Commission Packet
In April 2024, the Mason County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials (Salary
Commission) request all elected officials to provide a brief personal synopsis of their job
function and responsibilities and the hours the position requires each week. The responses
obtained from those serving in these positions at that time are included in this document.
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PAGE 2
To: Mason County Elected Officials
From: Jim Morrell, Chair
Date: April 8, 2024
Re: Request for Your Perspective
The Salary Commission began meeting on March 26, 2024 with a second meeting on April 1, 2024. The
Salary Commission is interested in your perspective on the salary you are paid as an elected official.
Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
The
within their jurisdiction for the equitable distribution of property taxes. Responsible for acting
on all building permits issued each year. The process is governed by state law and reviewed by
the Department of Revenue to promote uniform taxation according to Article VII of the
Washington State Constitution. Real property is valued every year based on an analysis of sales
and a physical inspection at least once every six years. Business personal property is valued
every year based on the depreciated cost of business assets identified by the business owner.
Any taxpayer who disagrees with the value determined by the assessor has the right to appeal
the valuation to the County Board of Equalization, therefore we are tasked w/defending these
protested values at the BOE hearings. The assessor calculates the levy for each district using the
lesser of the budget requested by the district and certain levy limits imposed by statute. The
assessor maintains a public record, known as the assessment roll, listing ownership, description,
tax code area, location, and the assessed valuation for all property within the county. As
required by law, the Assessor prepares, possesses, and updates a complete set of maps drawn
from legal descriptions, to indicate all parcel configurations for land in the County. Assessor
records include information about when a parcel is sold or divided, when boundary lines change,
and when new plats are created. The assessor also maintains a detailed series of maps showing
all properties within the county. This office also administers senior/disability property tax
exemptions, deferral, and forest or agriculture programs.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
50-60 hours.
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Tax Assessment (RCW Title 84 WAC 458)
Annual Revaluation of Property (RCW 84.41 &
WAC 450-07-015)
Coordination & Direction of the Department of
Revenue (DOR) (RCW 84.08)
Listing of Property (RCW 84.40)
o Real & Personal (RCW 84.36.005)
o Mobile Home Records (RCW 36.21.090 &
RCW 46.12; 46.44, & RCW 82.50)
Physical Inspection (RCW 84.41.041)
o Access to Property Required (RCW 84.40.025)
o Qualifications of Assessing (RCW 36.21.015)
Market Analysis (RCW 84.41.041)
Building Permits (RCW 36.21.070; 080, 090)
o New Construction (WAC 458-12-342; 343)
Personal Property Assessments (RCW 84.40.060;
065 & RCW 84.40.185; 190)
Notice of Change in Value (RCW 84.40.045 & WAC
458-12-360)
Appeals (RCW 84.48.150)
o Board of Equalization (BOE) (RCW 84.48.010)
Administration (RCW Title 84 WAC 458)
Public Records (RCW 42.56.070)
o Ownership/Taxpayer of Record (RCW
84.40)
o Property Legal Descriptions (RCW
84.40.160 & WAC 390-24-200)
Land Segregations (WAC 458-07-035)
Maps & Parcels (RCW 84.40.160)
Property Tax Relief Programs
o Senior Citizen & Disabled Persons (RCW
84.36)
o Deferrals (RCW 84.37)
o Current Use (RCW 84.34 & WAC 458.30)
o Forestland (RCW 84.33)
o Destroyed Property (RCW 36.21.080 &
RCW 84.70)
Refunds (RCW 84.48.065)
Tax Levy Calculations (RCW 84.52)
o Taxing District Boundaries (RCW 84.09)
o DOR Annual Reports (RCW 36.21)
o Certification of Assessments (RCW
84.48.130)
PAGE 14
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To: Mason County Elected Officials
From: Jim Morrell, Chair
Date: April 8, 2024
Re: Request for Your Perspective
The Salary Commission began meeting on March 26, 2024 with a second meeting on April 1, 2024. The
Salary Commission is interested in your perspective on the salary you are paid as an elected official.
Please provide brief (150-200 word) responses to the following questions:
Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
The county auditor has a wide array of responsibilities defined in statute. At a high level, the county
auditor is the chief financial officer of the county and is responsible for financial oversight,
development of the preliminary county budget, and county annual report. The auditor is also
responsible subagents (one in Shelton,
one in Belfair) as well as recording and archiving official documents (deeds, titles, marriage licenses,
etc.). The county auditor is ex officio deputy of the State Auditor. The county auditor is also the ex-
officio, the supervisor of all primaries and elections in the county and chair of the canvassing board
responsible for election certification. Later this
.
I urge the Salary Commission to review these statutes below which cover most but not all the
(Attachment A). Other responsibilities can be found throughout
Washington State Law.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
Every day is an opportunity to do something good for the people. I take my job in service to the people
of Mason County seriously, and easily dedicate 50-60+ hours a week to I do what I can to serve the
people. .
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Chapter 36.22 RCW COUNTY AUDITOR
Sections
36.22.010 Duties of auditor.
The county auditor:
(1) Shall be recorder of deeds and other instruments in writing which by law are to be filed and recorded
in and for the county for which he or she is elected;
(2) Shall keep an account current with the county treasurer, charge all money received as shown by
receipts issued and credit all disbursements paid out according to the record of settlement of the
treasurer with the legislative authority;
(3) Shall make out and transmit to the state auditor a statement of the state fund account with the
county in accordance with standards developed by the state auditor. The statement must be available to
the public;
(4) Shall make available a complete exhibit of the prior-year finances of the county including, but not
limited to, a statement of financial condition and financial operation in accordance with standards
developed by the state auditor. This exhibit shall be made available after the financial records are closed
for the prior year;
(5) Shall make out a register of all warrants legally authorized and directed to be issued by the legislative
body at any regular or special meeting. The auditor shall make the data available to the county
treasurer. The auditor shall retain the original of the register of warrants for future reference;
Sign all orders made and warrants issued by order of the legislative authority for the payment of money;
Record the reports of the county treasurer of the receipts and disbursements of the county;
Preserve and file all accounts acted upon by the legislative authority;
Preserve and file all petitions and applications for franchises and record the action of the legislative
authority thereon;
Record all orders levying taxes;
Perform all other duties required by any rule or order of the legislative authority.
36.22.030 May administer oaths.
36.22.040 Duty to audit claims against county.
36.22.050 Issuance of warrants Multiple warrants.
36.22.060 Record of warrants.
36.22.070 Original claims to be retained.
36.22.080 Claims of auditor.
36.22.090 Warrants of political subdivisions.
36.22.100 Cancellation of unclaimed warrants.
36.22.110 Auditor cannot act as attorney or lobbyist.
36.22.120 Temporary clerk may be appointed.
36.22.140 Auditor or charter county financial officer Ex officio deputy state auditor.
36.22.160 Copying, preserving, and indexing documents.
36.22.170 Surcharge for preservation of historical documents Distribution of revenue to county
and state treasurer Creation of account.
36.22.175 Surcharge for local government archives and records management Records
management training Eastern Washington regional facility.
36.22.181 Surcharge for prosecution of mortgage lending fraud Transmittal to state treasurer.
36.22.185 Covenant homeownership program assessment.
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36.22.190 Distribution of funds.
36.22.200 Action for change of name Filing and recording.
36.22.210 Process servers Registration Fees.
36.22.215 Process servers Social security numbers.
36.22.220 Election assistants, deputies Appointment, qualifications.
36.22.230 Election assistants, deputies Additional qualifications.
36.22.240 Surcharge for growth management planning and review Increasing residential building
capacity.
36.22.250 Document recording surcharge.
RCW 36.40.040 Preliminary budget.
Upon receipt of the estimates the county auditor or chief financial officer designated in a charter county
shall prepare the county budget which shall set forth the complete financial program of the county for
the ensuing fiscal year, showing the expenditure program and the sources of revenue by which it is to be
financed.
The revenue section shall set forth the estimated receipts from sources other than taxation for each
office, department, service, or institution for the ensuing fiscal year, the actual receipts for the first six
months of the current fiscal year and the actual receipts for the last completed fiscal year, the estimated
surplus at the close of the current fiscal year and the amount proposed to be raised by taxation.
The expenditure section shall set forth in comparative and tabular form by offices, departments,
services, and institutions the estimated expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year, the appropriations for
the current fiscal year, the actual expenditures for the first six months of the current fiscal year including
all contracts or other obligations against current appropriations, and the actual expenditures for the last
completed fiscal year.
All estimates of receipts and expenditures for the ensuing year shall be fully detailed in the annual
budget and shall be classified and segregated according to a standard classification of accounts to be
adopted and prescribed by the state auditor after consultation with the Washington state association of
counties and the Washington state association of county officials.
The county auditor or chief financial officer designated in a charter county shall set forth separately in
the annual budget to be submitted to the county legislative authority the total amount of emergency
warrants issued during the preceding fiscal year, together with a statement showing the amount issued
for each emergency, and the legislative authority shall include in the annual tax levy, a levy sufficient to
raise an amount equal to the total of such warrants: PROVIDED, That the legislative authority may fund
the warrants or any part thereof into bonds instead of including them in the budget levy.
RCW 36.40.050 Revision by county commissioners.
The budget shall be submitted by the auditor or chief financial officer designated in a charter county to
the board of county commissioners on or before the first Tuesday in September of each year. The board
shall thereupon consider the same in detail, making any revisions or additions it deems advisable.
RCW 36.40.210 Monthly report.
On or before the twenty-fifth day of each month the auditor shall submit or make available to the board
of county commissioners a report showing the expenditures and liabilities against each separate budget
appropriation incurred during the preceding calendar month and like information for the whole of the
current fiscal year to the first day of said month, together with the unexpended and unencumbered
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balance of each appropriation. He or she shall also set forth the receipts from taxes and from sources
other than taxation for the same periods.
RCW 29A.04.216 County auditor Duties Exceptions.
The county auditor of each county shall be ex officio the supervisor of all primaries and elections,
general or special, and it shall be the county auditor's duty to provide places for holding such
primaries and elections; to provide the supplies and materials necessary for the conduct of
elections; and to publish and post notices of calling such primaries and elections in the manner
provided by law. The auditor shall also apportion to the county, each city, town, or district, and to
the state of Washington, its share of the expense of such primaries and elections. This section
does not apply to general or special elections for any city, town, or district that is not subject to
RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330, but all such elections must be held and conducted at the time,
in the manner, and by the officials (with such notice, requirements for filing for office, and
certifications by local officers) as provided and required by the laws governing such elections.
State and federal offices are to be considered one entity for purposes of election cost proration and
reimbursement.
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To: Mason County Elected Officials
From: Jim Morrell, Chair
Date: April 8, 2024
Re: Request for Your Perspective
The Salary Commission began meeting on March 26, 2024 with a second meeting on April 1, 2024. The
Salary Commission is interested in your perspective on the salary you are paid as an elected official.
Please provide brief (150-200 word) responses to the following questions:
Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
I run the office managing twelve people including, but not limited to, eight case types. Other duties
include jury services for Superior, District, and Municipal courts; processing employee payroll;
accounts payable; accounts receivable; all financial reporting including reconciliation of checking
and savings accounts; daily deposits; remittance to the Treasurer; restitution payments; submitting
reports through Odyssey including trust accounts; general ledger posting reports; accounting
reports; checking registry reports; auditing reports; ledger summary reports; batch receipt
exceptions reports; and opening cases and receiving documents of existing cases.
I am also in charge of all functions including search warrants and replications.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
I work between 50-80 hours per week.
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Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
I m sorry but it's not possible to describe my job in under 200 words. I must know about each, and
every department listed under us in the organizational chart. I must balance a $180 Million-dollar
budget, so also must fully understand all departments not directly under me. I deal with rules and
regulations that impact them, dollars that fund them, how they are managed, their legislative role, a
quasi-judicial role, plus so much more. I have to know every aspect of their budgets including where
the money comes from. where the money is going. Can the funds be legally spent here? Where is
the best place to invest funds? I represent the county in ways that are unimaginable. Helping a
neighbor, a community or even another government entity. A 6:00
a.m. meeting in Tahuya or home at midnight after a forum. Seattle for breakfast and Olympia for
lunch. Spokane or Walla Walla for a 3-day Risk Pool, regulatory, legal, or environmental committee
meeting. If you are not at the table, you are on the menu. I had 4 a.m. constituent calls during Covid.
Standing on the streets between BLM and the Patriots during the protests. I work 60-80 hours every
week and missed less than six meetings in 12 years.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
Minimum is 40 but usually 60 to 80 hours each and every week. There are no such things as
weekends or evenings off. The need is always there.
Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
The roles and responsibilities for commissioners outlined in statue provide a floor, however the
job is complex and has a broad scope in practice. As a two-term commissioner, I recognize and
value the work of all elected officials within the County government, however the role of
commissioner is unique in that it includes legislative, executive, and quasi-judicial functions and
has both internal and external responsibilities. Internally, we operate as a legislative authority
that sets the entire $180,000,000 budget and personnel policies that govern the roughly 400
County employees in every office. In addition to those critical functions, we also manage the
housing and homelessness, substance use and prevention, communicable disease, and
environmental health including restaurant inspections, solid waste, water quality, and vector
and
emergency management. This list is not exhaustive and evolves as needs arise. Externally, we
each serve on a variety of boards dealing with issues like environmental conservation and
restoration, infrastructure development and funding, behavioral health services, public safety
services like Macecom. Commissioners also serve on boards representing the interests of
counties statewide and by appointment of the governor. This is all before we get into civic
organizations like Rotary and Kiwanis or other organizations serving the interests of our
l service, and Board of Equalization.
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constituents. Again, this is simply a snapshot and not exhaustive. Finally, while Mason County
employs a County Administrator, we do not have individual support staff assigned to us like in
many other counties.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
This position does not punch a timecard because it is not a staff position in the County. This
position requires you to work as many hours as it takes to complete the responsibilities I listed
above.
To fully explain the job of a Commissioner, I would need more than the 200-word limit. The
applicable state-wide. What is unique about Commissioners is that we are responsible for
adopting the entire County budget which is almost $52M in 2024 all departments and elected
officials. Once we adopt a balanced budget, (annual requirement) it is up to the elected officials
to manage and operate their office within their budget. We have to understand not only the
totaling over $73M, (about 20). Commissioners are directly responsible for Public Health (family
health and environmental health septic's, water quality, restaurant safety); Community
Development (planning and building code/permits); Public Works (roads); Utilities (Mason
County has 2 water/sewer plants and 2 water systems); Landfill; Parks and Trails (we have 20);
Facilities; Emergency Management, Human Resources, Budget & Finance, Information
Technology, County Administration and in cooperation with WSU, the Extension Office. In
addition to the statutory requirements and the county responsibilities, I serve on 15 different
committees for our county and the state and serve as the Chair and the Executive Team on
several of them. We also need to keep an eye on the State as they like to send unfunded
requirements to local governments.
It's hard to put a number to that. I'd have to say as many as you want and as many as needed. I
work 40+ hours a week; sometimes more. Many of the committees meet in the early morning,
afternoon/evening and many require out-of-town travel. Because it's important to know my
community, I attend many in-county functions that are in the evenings and weekends. I think it's
also worth noting that since Covid, many of my meetings are remote and back-to-back
throughout the day, evenings and weekends. Covid was a completely different topic as I was in
the office 7 days a week while there was so much unknown and still tried to keep the county
operating.
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Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
As the elected coroner I am responsible for determining the cause and manner of death when it
may be sudden, unexpected, suspicious, or natural. In Mason County, the coroner responds to
all deaths that occur in the county outside of a hospital, nursing home, or hospice setting. There
is an exception, we will respond to these deaths if they appear unnatural, or the decedent is
indigent. Washington state RCW 68.50.10, The county coroner has jurisdiction over bodies of all
deceased persons who come to their death suddenly when in apparent good health without
medical attendance within the thirty-six hours preceding death; or where the circumstances of
death indicate death was caused by unnatural or unlawful means; or where death occurs under
suspicious circumstances. The Mason County Coroner performs forensic medicolegal death
investigations on all these cases. Per RCW 36.24.205, the county coroner must be trained and
certified through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and continually
maintain that certification through continuing education. Additionally, per RCW 36.24.210 The
office must be Nationally accredited by either the International Association of
Coroners and Medical Examiners or the National Association of Medical Examiners no later than
July 1, 2025, and maintain continued accreditation thereafter.
office is actively in the accreditation process with the International Association of Coroners and
Medical Examiners. I am certified through the State of Washington as a Medicolegal Forensic
Death Investigator. Additionally, I am Nationally board-certified through the American Board of
Medicolegal Death Investigators as a forensic medicolegal death investigator, which holds high
standards. This means elected coroners are certified in pathology for forensic death
investigation, crime scene investigation and management, Sudden unexplained infant death
investigation, child death and homicide, fire fatalities, traffic fatalities, suicidal deaths,
drownings, accidental deaths, drug deaths, and Mass fatalities. Although we are not typically
doctors, we are medically trained. Mason County contracts with a forensic pathologist who
performs our county's autopsies. Not all death scene investigations require an autopsy to be
performed. It is at the sole discretion of the elected coroner. Furthermore, coroners often assist
in the autopsies. The pathologist gives their opinion on their findings; however, the coroner has
the final say in determining the cause and manner of death and signs the death certificate. We
investigate all jurisdictional deaths in Mason County. We do not rely on any other County
coroners or medical examiner's office to do our investigations; we are not a prosecutor/coroner
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county and should not be compared to one.
The duties of the coroner encompass a range of tasks, we conduct a forensic death scene
investigation, analyze medical records, collect forensic evidence, photograph the death scene,
collect blood and other specimens on the scene for toxicology reports, we work closely with law
enforcement and other agencies during or investigation. The elected coroner possesses a deep
understanding of anatomy, pathology, and forensic sciences. An elected coroner testifies in the
court of law regarding their forensic death investigations. Moreover, the coroner consistently
interacts with bereaved families, offering support, compassion, and clarity throughout the
investigative process. Transparency, impartiality, and adherence to ethical standards are
paramount in this role to maintain public trust and uphold the integrity of death investigations.
The elected coroner plays a key role in ensuring justice, accountability, and public safety within
our community.
Under RCW 36.24.010 The coroner shall perform the duties of the sheriff in all cases where the
sheriff is interested or otherwise incapacitated from serving, and whenever the coroner acts as
sheriff he or she shall possess the powers and perform all the duties of sheriff, and shall be
liable on his or her official bond in like manner as the sheriff would be, and shall be entitled to
the same fees as are allowed by law to the sheriff for similar services.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
The hours that I spend in the position I am in greatly vary due to the nature of my role as a
Coroner. I am present during regular business hours Monday through Friday to assist with any
inquiries or tasks that may arise. However, my responsibilities do not end there. I am also on call
24 hours a day, seven days a week, and often find myself being called out on weekends or
woken up at all hours of the night to address urgent matters.
On average I would say I dedicate approximately 60 hours a week to my position. There are
times when this number may increase, depending on the volume of work or emergencies that
require my immediate attention. I am the first point of contact for our office as well as must be
available for consultation with my two full-time deputy coroners 24/7. For example, last week
our office had five death investigations in less than 24 hours
Thank you for your time. Our job is misunderstood or confusing. Please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions or need further explanation of the duties of the coroner.
27
Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
and these duties are governed by literally hundreds of statutes and judicial opinions, all
Officials, handbook- pp 14, ninth addition 2017)
The Sheriff is the only elected official that has employees working every moment of every day,
both on the streets to answer calls for service and in the jail to guard and care for those who
are incarcerated. The Sheriff has the largest number of employees in the county and often
deals with the highest liability issues of all the elected officials. The Sheriff has the highest level
of responsibility in the county to include:
1. Manage a small city called a Jail to include medical, feeding, services, and safety.
2. Civil Division that processes licenses, permits, fingerprints, subpoenas, Civil process,
public records, and statistical data.
3. Investigative division that handles, major crimes, Sex Offender, evidence handling,
polygraph, Crisis Negotiations, background investigation and internal investigations
4. Patrol division that includes:
a. SWAT
b. School Resource officer
c. Search and rescue for the National Park, National Forest, all the waterways in
the county and other
d. Traffic enforcement/collision investigations
e. K-9 unit
f. Special Operations Unit that handles High angle and swift water rescues
g. Marine Patrol
h. Media relations
i. Block watch
j. All crimes that occur in two Washington State Prisons in Mason County
k. 13 schools from Matlock to Sand hill
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
I imagine that will depend on the individual who is in the Office.
I am completely invested in the safety of our community and hearing from my citizens. Sheriffs
are the ONLY elected law enforcement officials in the world who work directly for the citizens
and not for another elected politician. I take that very seriously; therefore, I feel the
responsibility of being available to hear and address the concerns of those who elected me.
I do not track my hours, but my wife would tell you that I work on average of 60+ hours a week
to include many weekends, evenings, and early morning events in the community. My wife
retired early so she could go with me to many of these events and we would be able to see each
other.
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Please describe your job function and responsibilities.
The County Treasurer holds a key position of public trust in the financial affairs of local
government. Primary responsibilities: the billing and collection of real and personal property
taxes (including foreclosure and distraint proceeding for the sale at public auctions), special
assessments, gambling taxes, and other miscellaneous revenue; receipting and accounting for all
funds and deposits of revenue for the state, county, and junior taxing districts; depositing and
investing of all funds for the county and junior taxing districts; managing the cash flow of the
county and junior taxing districts; coordinating banking services for the county and junior taxing
districts; collecting excise tax on the sale or transfer of real property and mobile homes; and
administering short- and long-term debt financing for the county and junior taxing districts.
In your experience, how many hours does this position require in a typical week?
40 hours weekly at a minimum, 50 hours weekly or more during tax season (April & October).
29