Who sets the salary? Summit County takes a closer look at elected officials’ pay

As county officials review proposed merit raises in the 2027 budget, council members call for a broader approach to setting salaries.

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — Summit County Council members questioned the use of annual merit raises for elected officials during Wednesday’s 2027 budget discussions, raising concerns about how salaries are determined for positions that do not undergo traditional performance evaluations.

The proposed budget includes cost-of-living adjustments and additional salary increases, described as merit raises, for elected county officials. County Council members would receive cost-of-living adjustments only.

During the Nov. 4 meeting, County Manager Shayne Scott acknowledged that merit increases work differently for elected officials, who answer to voters rather than supervisors who conduct annual performance reviews.

“The challenge for me with merit is that none of these elected officials work for anybody but the people,” Scott said.

Council members questioned whether recurring percentage increases are the best way to determine compensation, particularly when salaries can compound over time without a broader review of comparable positions.

The discussion also raised questions about how Summit County’s salaries compare with those in other Utah counties. Council members suggested that future evaluations consider population, operating budgets, job responsibilities, and benefits rather than relying primarily on annual adjustments.

The issue follows a similar debate in Park City earlier this year. As TownLift reported in May, the Park City Council initially voted 4-1 to more than double elected officials’ salaries, using Summit County compensation as a key benchmark.

Following public criticism over the size of the increases and the approval process, the city reconsidered the raises. In June, the council voted 3-2 to adopt smaller increases, setting annual salaries at $34,373 for council members and $66,684 for the mayor.

Scott emphasized the importance of competitive compensation to attract qualified candidates for elected positions.

Summit County Treasurer Corrie Forsling also addressed the council, noting that elected department heads oversee staff and manage operations much like appointed administrators. She cautioned against allowing their compensation to fall behind comparable county positions.

Council members discussed developing a more comprehensive compensation system, potentially using benchmarks from counties with similar responsibilities and operating budgets.

Scott expressed support for reviewing that approach but indicated a new system might not be ready for the 2027 budget.

The council took no formal action on elected officials’ compensation Wednesday. Budget discussions will continue before the county adopts its final 2027 budget.