What to Pay Elected Officials?

Pierce County sent me an invitation last summer to participate as a citizen representative on the Salary Commission for Elected Officials. I had been randomly selected from the county’s registered voters.

I didn’t know that this commission existed, but the opportunity caught my attention. I am a “behind-the-scenes” enthusiast and have always been curious about the unseen ways work gets done. This invitation offered a way to participate in our county government firsthand.

The work of the commission centers on reviewing current compensation and making salary recommendations to the Pierce County Council for four elected officials: the county executive, sheriff, auditor, and assessor-treasurer.

These are significant positions with substantial responsibilities. The work of these elected officials, and the offices they manage, is at the core of our county government. These aren’t ceremonial positions. They require significant expertise, leadership, and accountability, and the decisions these four officials make have consequences throughout our communities.

The county executive manages the day-to-day operations of county government, overseeing thousands of employees, a multibillion-dollar budget, and the delivery of essential public services. The sheriff leads the second-largest sheriff’s department in the state and is responsible for law enforcement, public safety, and county jail operations. The auditor safeguards the integrity of our elections while also overseeing voter registration, marriage licenses, vehicle and vessel licensing, and public document recording. The assessor-treasurer determines property values for tax purposes, administers property tax collection, and distributes those revenues to public entities such as schools, fire districts, and other local governments.

Determining appropriate compensation for these positions requires more consideration than simply deciding whether someone deserves a raise. The commission must evaluate the responsibilities of each office, compare salaries with similar jurisdictions, consider current and projected economic conditions, and weigh the county’s ability to attract qualified candidates.

The work of the commission began by analyzing the information necessary to make informed salary recommendations. Pierce County human resources staff provided us with extensive materials to compare compensation across jurisdictions, review historical salary adjustments, and examine economic factors such as inflation and cost-of-living increases.

We also considered how the salaries of the elected officials compare with those of senior employees working within their departments. For example, the highest-ranking non-elected undersheriff has the potential to earn more than our elected sheriff. Commissioners expressed concern that this disparity could discourage qualified candidates from seeking the office in the future.

But perhaps the most valuable part of the process was the opportunity to meet directly with the four elected officials whose salaries we were reviewing. Rather than relying exclusively on job descriptions and spreadsheets, we heard firsthand about the work these officials perform. They answered questions about the demands of their positions and shared with us the challenges facing their departments.

These conversations helped put the numbers into perspective for the commission. A figure on a spreadsheet only tells part of the story. Understanding the responsibilities behind that number, and hearing directly from the people doing the work, provides context that statistics alone won’t capture.

Our work culminated in July, when the commission finalized its recommendations to the Pierce County Council for salary increases beginning in January 2027.

The commission recommended 3% increases for the county executive, auditor, and assessor-treasurer, matching the increase approved for non-represented county employees. For the sheriff, the commission recommended a 4% increase, citing concerns about the position’s competitiveness with other public safety leadership roles.

These recommendations weren’t about rewarding individual officeholders or evaluating their political positions. They were about determining appropriate compensation for the offices themselves, regardless of who occupies them.

That distinction is important. The commission’s procedures specifically call for thoughtful, nonpolitical decisions that represent the interests of all Pierce County residents. Much of what we hear about local government comes through news coverage or contentious public meetings. But a splashy headline or standing room only crowd doesn’t reflect the quieter, less visible work that keeps government functioning.

I was grateful to serve with other community members who brought their own experiences and viewpoints to the discussion. We didn’t need identical backgrounds or similar opinions to approach our responsibilities seriously. That’s what made the experience especially meaningful to me.

It has also reinforced something I believe strongly: Government works better when ordinary citizens participate. Serving on this commission reminded me that local government is much closer than we sometimes realize.

Pierce County has numerous boards and commissions that rely on community participation. Their work touches everything from land use and environmental protection to public safety and community services. Some commissions require specialized experience or knowledge. Others simply need residents who are willing to learn and volunteer their time.

You don’t have to be an expert to get started. You don’t have to agree with every decision your government makes. In fact, different perspectives improve the health and reliability of a commission or board.

Your involvement doesn’t have to begin with a formal appointment either. Attend a public meeting. Read an agenda. Submit a comment. Ask questions about a proposed policy. Learn who represents you and what decisions they’re making.

A year ago, I said yes to an unexpected invitation I knew little about and, in turn, I gained a greater appreciation for the people and processes behind county government. I hope that more of us will take advantage of the opportunities to get involved.

Meredith Browand lives in Purdy.