HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.23.26 Salary Commission PacketMASON COUNTY CITIZENS’ COMMISSION ON SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS (Salary Commission)
Meeting Agenda
Commission Chambers, 411 North 5th Street, Shelton and Zoom
Zoom Link:
Video Link
Meeting ID: 818 4723 4833
Monday, March 23, 2026
5:30 p.m.
1) Call to Order – Chair Jim Morrell
2) Roll Call
3) Approval of Minutes: March 16, 2026
a. 3/16/2026 Decision: Mason County Sheriff’s Salary
4) 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.
5) Salary Commission 2026 Work (Chair)
a. WA Superior Court Judge Salary Methodology (Kim Monroe)
b. Reference Materials:
i. Memo - Summary of 2026 MCSC Salary Work
ii. Elected Officials Comps 2026_MC Spreadsheet - Revised03-23-2026
c. Deliberation: Mason County Elected Official Salaries
d. Decision (if appropriate): Mason County Elected Official Salaries
6) Staggering Terms
7) Question/Answer/Discussion period for Salary Commission
8) Calendar
a. List Next Meeting Dates
i. March 30, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Commission Chambers (if necessary)
ii. April 6, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Commission Chambers (if necessary)
9) Adjourn
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MASON COUNTY CITIZENS’ COMMISSION ON SALARIES FORELECTED OFFICIALS
(Salary Commission)
Meeting Minutes
415 North 5th Street, Shelton and Zoom
Monday, March 16, 2026
In attendance: Jim Morrell, Chair; Jann Goodpastor, Devin Ferner, Brent Frahm, Leeland
Wells, Vice-Chair: Ryan Deboar, RogerLewis, Travis Adams, Mason County Administrator;
Kim Monroe, Mason County HR Director; Chris Pinkston Executive Assistant
Meeting commenced at 6:00 p.m.
1)Call to Order – Chair Jim Morrell
2)Roll Call and introductions
Matt Mallery absent
All others listed above present
3)Approval of Minutes: November 12, 2024- Jann/Roger moved and seconded to approve
the November 12, 2024 Salary Commission minute. Motion carried.
4)Organizational Items
a.Review OPMA – Travis Adams performed a quick read of the OPMA to ensure all
parties understand how to participate while following OPMA.
b.Election of Officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary. Devin/Brent motioned and
seconded motion to re-elect Jim Morrell and Leeland Wells as chair and vice and
Jann Goodpastor as Secretary
Discuss and approve Agenda Outline for Salary Commissions:
Administrative, Public Comment, Discussion, and Action
Jim Morrell suggested move public comment to start of meetings instead of end.
Leeland/Roger motioned and seconded. Motion carried.
c.Staggering Terms
Information Jim Morrell explained staggering and acknowledged before
Commission adjourns for 2027 that topic will be discussed.
d.Review of Previous Resolutions & Salary Commission Work
i.BOCC Resolution 2024-070
Jim Morrell reviewed resolution briefly outlining further rules and regulations
for commission members to include staggering terms, decision deadline,
operating in a quorum.
ii.Salary Commission Resolution 2024-01
Jim Morrell reviewed resolution from 2024 establishing salaries for elected
officials year 2025 and 2026.
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iii. Salary Consideration
Jim Morrell reviewed considerations for baseline setting 2026
iv. 2024 Salary Commission Methodology
Jim Morrell reviewed memo and spreadsheet formulas covering current
salaries and comp counties. After review of comps Jim Morrell reviewed
options and proposals for initial consideration. There was asks from the
table to collect information around tying elected officials salary to the Court
Judges as is practice in surrounding counties.
After ample discussion was had around the Undersheriff and pay structure the Sheriff
salary was set to the step 10 Undersheriff +5% which would be a 4% increase.
Jann/Lee motioned and seconded motion to set Sheriff salary at step 10 of the Undersheriff
+5%. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned 7:30 p.m.
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5.a. WA Superior Court Methodology
The Commission does not use a single formal rubric, state law (RCW 43.03.300 and
43.03.310) directs it to base salaries on realistic standards according to the duties of the
office and efforts to recruit qualified candidates for office. In practice, the Commission has
historically considered the following factors:
• Duties and responsibilities of the position (Willis Hays Class study in 2022)
• Cost of living and inflation trends
• Recruitment and retention challenges — the judicial branch has reported shrinking
candidate pools for open positions and increasing resignations
• Comparability to federal judicial salaries and other states
• Private-sector attorney compensation as a market benchmark
• Economic conditions and the state budget
• Equity and alignment across elected positions
According to the commission meeting notes from Feb 5,
2025, https://salaries.wa.gov/meetings this time around the Commissioned felt it was
appropriate to give the same COLA as state employees received,
• A 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2025 and 2% in 2026, applied to all elected
officials across all three branches along with
• An additional 1% position-specific increase in 2025 and 1% in 2026 for the judicial branch
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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.
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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.
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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$
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Notes:
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/17/2026 p. 1 of 4
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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 7/1/2025 7/1/2026
22 WCCSEO - Superior Court Judges
7/1/2026 237,460$ 244,631$ 2%
is 2026 CoL
adjustment for
statewide elected
officials
23 AS-50%; AD-50%; CC-50%; S-
72%; T-50%
122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ Combined 122,316$ 176,134$ 122,316$
24 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 BOCC 6% increase
Other elected 3% increase
$ 122,179 $ 122,179 $ 122,179 $ 122,179 $ 131,116 $ 144,200 $ 122,179
26 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 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 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%)
AS-46%; AD-45.5%; CL-45.5%;
CR-45.5%; S-68%; T-45.5%
BOCC +3%
111,307$ 111,307$ 111,307$ 111,307$ 103,863$ 166,349$ 111,307$
30 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 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$
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/17/2026 p. 2 of 4
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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$
Median 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$
Increase 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$ 17,815$
New Salary - 1/1/2027 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$
47 Options for Consideration
A) Peer Median (Use the 2024
method)122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$ 122,316$
50
53
C) Use Kititas COLA
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D) Change to % of SCJ (avg of
Counties, not including Kittitas; and
not Kit or Lewis for BOCC )51%51%51%52%53%51%
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61 E) Increase 8.5% (1/2 of increase
using (A) Peer Median)113,384$ 113,384$ 113,384$ 113,384$ 113,384$ 113,384$
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64 F) 2% below Peer Median 120,225$ 120,225$ 120,225$ 120,225$ 120,225$ 120,225$
66
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B) Use State COLA (2025 & 2026 was
3% & 2%, respectively)
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/17/2026 p. 3 of 4
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3/16/2026 Salary Commission Meeting - Decision
73 Sherriff Current Salary 164,232$
74 Undersheriff, Step 10 + 5%Step 10 (2026) $ 162,730 170,867$
75 Increase 6,635$ 6,635$
76 % Increase since last set 5/1/2024 4.0%
77 Median 159,915$
78 Mason % Above/(Below) Median 6.8%
2026 MCSC Salary Work (F)3/17/2026 p. 4 of 4
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Resolution No. 2026-01
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.
2024-070, 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, 2026, and not later than May 1st every
year 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 with the County Auditor 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, subject to the referendum procedures
described in RCW 36.17.024 and Mason County Resolution 2024-070; 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
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mason County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries
files the following salary schedule for establishing Mason County Elected Officials:
Treasurer, County Commissioners
DATED this _____day of _________, 2026
ATTEST: SALARY COMMISION
APPROVED:
Christopher Pinkston, Executive Assistant James M. Morrell, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Tim Whitehead, Chief Deputy Prosecuting
Attorney
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MEMORANDUM To: Mason County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials From: Jim Morrell, Chair Subject: Staggering Terms This memo provides a review of the need to identify terms for the Salary Commissioner to begin a staggering the terms.
Background
• The Salary Commission in March/April 2024 observed that all ten of the Salary Commissioner terms would expire all at the same date. A recommendation was made to the Mason County Board of County Commissioners to revise the BOCC Resolution 2024-001 to ensure that not all Salary Commissioners would end their terms at the same time.
• The Mason County BOCC approved such revisions in BOCC Resolution 2024-070.
o Section 2: TERMS
For the lot-drawn positions, three of the six selected positions shall serve an
initial term ending December 31, 206. 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 ears. No person may be appointed to
more than two terms.
• On February 13, 2026, I met with Deputy Prosecutor Tim Whitehead and County Administrator Travis Adams. During this meeting it was confirmed that should a Salary Commissioner determine at the end of their first term, they may elect to continue for a second, two-year term.
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Necessary Decision
• Appointed seats are not assigned to County Commissioner Districts. Two (2) should be identified for an initial term ending December 31, 2026 (eligible to continue to December 31, 2028), and which two (2) positions will initially end December 31, 2027.
• Lot-drawn positions are assigned to the three County Commissioner Districts. One position from each district should be identified for an initial term ending December 31, 2026 (eligible to continue to December 31, 2028), and one position from each district should be identified for an initial term ending December 31, 2027.
• The current appointments are as follows:
o Commissioner Appointed
Appointed Position 1: Jim Morrell
Appointed Position 2: Matt Mallery
Appointed Position 3: VACANT
Appointed Position 4: Jann Goodpastor
o Lot-Drawn Positions
DS1 Position 1: Devin Ferner
DS1 Position 2: Ryan de Boer
DS2 Position 3: Brent Frahm
DS2 Position 4: VACANT
DS3 Position 5: Leeland Wells
DS3 Position 6: Roger Lewis
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