RESOLUTION 2002-48

(Amending portions of Resolution 2000-19 the annual increase of

members of the Board of County Commissioners and other Elected Officials)

WHEREAS, Skamania County Board of Commissioners has the responsibility of setting salaries for the Board of Commissioners and other elected officials in Skamania County; and

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed a letter dated July 3, 2002 from the elected officials that recommends reducing the annual increase, on salary comparisons and internal equity with Department Heads and comparisons with other similar counties; and

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the salaries of the Commissioners, Treasurer, Auditor, Assessor, Clerk, Sheriff and Prosecuting Attorney are internally equitable among Skamania County personnel, officials and similar counties; and

WHEREAS, Skamania County elected officials and employees have received limited salary increases in the past in lieu of full payment of health insurance benefits, resulting in a higher benefit package and lower salary package than similar counties; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the elected officials participating in the Washington State Retirement System, to begin to rebalance the compensation offered by Skamania County between salaries and benefits;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners hereby amends that portion of Resolution 1998-49 that provides for a 2.5% increase on January 1 on each year after 1998 to the following:

a) The Auditor, Assessor, Treasurer, Clerk, Sheriff, and Prosecuting Attorney shall each receive a $100 per month increase in their salary beginning March 1, 2003 or the first month in which a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan is implemented for Skamania County, whichever date is later. Beginning with the month in which the salary increase is effective, each elected official shall reimburse the County $100 per month for the partial cost of health insurance premiums. This deduction may be paid through contributions made to a Section 125 plan. Until such time as the salary increase shall occur, the County shall pay the increase cost of the health insurance premium.

b) The current Commissioners, who do not participate in the Washington State Retirement System and would receive no benefit from changing benefits into salary, shall receive no increase in salary for 2003, but the County shall pay the increase in their health insurance premiums for all of 2003.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the annual increase remains 2.5% for subsequent years, unless further amended; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED except as herein modified, Resolution 1998-49 and 2000-19 are hereby reaffirmed.

PASSED IN REGULAR SESSION this 31st day of December 2002.