The Jasper County Board of Supervisors have set new salaries for elected county officials. The pay increases approved will take effect July 1st, and are well below what was recommended by the Jasper County Compensation Board. County Board Chairman Brandon Talsma noted the Compensation Board bases a lot of their salary recommendations on what elected officials are making in similar sized counties or cities.

“A couple of years ago Franklin County was giving out 17-percent raises. Marshalltown was giving out ten percent raises. I know that is one of the things we have to compare ourselves to, but I am not going to be held financially liable for what another government entity does.”

The Jasper County Attorney is getting an $8,000 salary bump, while the Compensation Board recommended a $14,745 increase. The Jasper County Sheriff’s salary will go up $7,416 dollars instead of the $14,831 the Compensation Board suggested. The County Auditor, Treasurer, and Recorder salaries will get a $3,004 increase. The Compensation Board proposed $5,304 pay hikes for each of those elected officials. For themselves, the Jasper County Supervisors unanimously voted to keep their salary as is.  The Compensation Board recommended a $2,500 pay increase for each.