Warren County’s elected officials decided on Oct. 29 to hold off on any salary increases until the county holds budget discussions later this year. 

County officials chose Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus to serve as the commission’s chairman during the meeting and agreed that they would wait until they had a better idea of the county’s revenues before discussing any raises. 

“We really don’t want to talk too much about any kind of COLA (cost of living adjustment) or anything like that,” said Gildehaus. “That’s going to be done when our budget comes out.”

The salary commission is composed of the county commissioners, assessor, collector, prosecuting attorney, recorder of deeds, sheriff, coroner, auditor and public administrator, although not all of them are required to attend a meeting. A majority is required to reach a quorum. 

The meeting was attended by Gildehaus, Commissioner Matt Flake, County Clerk Denise Stotler, County Collector Julie Schaumberg and County Assessor Katie Smith. 

Gildehaus continued saying if they do decide on pay increases they would be tied to increases in the county’s property values, which would also likely increase county revenues. 

“As long as your counties are growing, you’re going to be making more money,” said Gildehaus. “If they don’t grow that way, you’re gonna be more staying (at the same pay rate) for a while.”

There was no additional discussion from county officials at the meeting and the discussion was tabled until a later date after roughly 10 minutes. 

Any raises approved by a salary commission would not take effect during an elected official’s current term.