A committee has recommended salary increases for the St. Mary’s county commissioners, sheriff and treasurer beginning in 2016. The St. Mary’s County Compensation Review Committee unanimously voted to increase the salary of the sheriff by $2,000 each in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and to increase the salaries of the commissioners and treasurer by one per cent in each of those years. The increase would thus not take effect until after the next local election.
The sheriff’s salary would increase from $100,000 in 2015 to $106,120 at the end of the three-year phased-in increases. The committee in a letter to the commissioners released this week wrote: “The Committee members believe that a higher salary is warranted due to increased demands and scope of responsibility of the Sheriff. The safety of the citizens and the community is of highest priority and the salary of the Sheriff should reflect the level of responsibility. Additionally, the county needs to make sure a competitive salary and benefits package is offered so we can attracts and retain quality individuals for this critical position.”
The salary of the commissioner president would increase from $43,430 in 2015 to $44,746 in 2018. The salary of the other commissioners would rise from $38,380 to $39,544. The salary of the county treasure would rise from $50,000 to $51,515.
The committee did not recommend increases for school board members, orphan’s court judges or the state’s attorney. School board members already receive a $250 annual increase.
The letter was signed by Committee Chairperson Judith Sterling and the other six members.
