County to set officials’ salaries
Staff writer
County commissioners are scheduled to vote Monday on salaries, including themselves and all elected officials.
Commissioners in their annual review last year gave themselves a $200 raise, even though two commissioners asked their salaries of $18,258 at the time be lowered.
Commissioner Jonah Gehring, who voted for a decrease, said he lost more in his business than he made as a commissioner in 2024. He did not lose as much in 2025 but is still tabulating the numbers.
Commissioners, like all other county employees, are also eligible for health insurance and other benefits.
Not one commissioner chooses to serve just for the money, Gehring said.
“It’s not about the paycheck,” he said. “It’s about what is in the heart.”
Commissioner Clarke Dirks last year proposed that commissioners’ salaries be decreased by 20%, but he was outvoted 3-2 by commissioners Kent Becker, Dave Crofoot, and Mike Beneke.
This year, Dirks will ask for their salaries to be decreased by 10%, but he realizes there probably will not be enough votes for this to pass.
Dirks said being a commissioner was never about the paycheck to him.
“When I decided to run, I didn’t know we got paid,” he said. “I thought it was a volunteer position.”
Marion pays a very small amount to its mayor and council members.
Mayor Mike Powers receives $200 a month or $2,400.06 a year, Council members receive $150.04 a month or $1,800.50 a year.
In Hillsboro, Mayor Lou Thurston is paid $300 a month, while its council members are paid $150 a month.
In Peabody, neither Mayor Kevin Burke nor its council members receive any pay, according to city administrator Paul Leeker.