Bonner salary equity missing

The Bonner County sheriff is paid $56,000, plus benefits. The sheriff’s budget is in excess of $6.6 million and is in charge of managing 109 employees, 168 hours per week, countywide.

The Bonner County clerk is paid $56,000, plus benefits. The clerk’s budget is in excess of $2. 8 million and is in charge of managing 45 employees, 35 hours per week, in several departments.

The Bonner County treasurer is paid $56,000, plus benefits. The treasurer’s budget is less than $350,000, and is in charge of managing five employees, 35 hours per week.

These equal compensation packages were recently established by the commissioners. What were they thinking? The sheriff is either the first or second highest paid elected official in 42 of Idaho’s 44 counties due to level of responsibility.

The commissioners are on record of no increase in payroll budget this next fiscal year. But, if they are responsible, they would reallocate the above three salaries as follows: sheriff, $68,000; clerk, $56,000; treasurer, $44,000.

This reallocation would make Bonner County more comparable to other Idaho counties as illustrated by the Idaho Association of Counties’ 2010 County Salary Survey: All County Elected Officials.

John W. Maras

Sagle, Idaho