Genesee County Officials Face Potential Salary Increases This Week

Salary adjustments for elected officials and department heads in Genesee County, Michigan, may be determined as early as this week. The county’s Board of Commissioners is set to discuss potential raises, although the specific details regarding who will receive increases and the amounts remain unclear.

During a committee meeting last week, commissioners reviewed a wage study comparing salaries of elected officials and department heads in Genesee County with those in several neighboring counties, including Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb. The focus is on adjusting the pay for non-union employees, such as elected officials and department heads, following the conclusion of negotiations with union employees.

The Finance Committee of the Board, led by Commissioner Shuan Shumaker, R-Fenton Twp., has forwarded a wage proposal to the full county board for consideration. A vote is anticipated on November 12, 2023, although the specific proposal will not be disclosed until November 10, 2023, according to a spokesperson.

The wage study, based on a 2023 salary survey, revealed that county commissioners currently earn more than the average salaries of their counterparts in various counties. For example, while the chair of the Board, Delrico Loyd, earns $40,299, the average for similar positions in the comparison counties is higher. Additionally, the salaries for the clerk-register ($84,395), sheriff ($115,865), and treasurer ($84,395) are also below average, whereas other positions, such as the drain commissioner ($164,275) and prosecutor ($180,000), are compensated above average.

Loyd has expressed a cautious approach, stating he will not vote to change salaries based solely on the wage study results. He emphasized the importance of addressing the pay discrepancies for certain department heads, specifically mentioning the directors of the county’s Senior Services and Animal Control departments. He noted that their salaries are considerably lower—over $25,000 less annually—compared to similar roles in other counties.

Finance Committee Chairman Martin Counsineau, D-Thetford Twp., supports advancing Shumaker’s proposal to the full board for a vote but anticipates further discussions and possible modifications. He highlighted that new salary adjustments could necessitate amendments to the county’s budget, as the potential raises were not fully incorporated into the fiscal budget that was adopted on October 1, 2023.

As the county approaches a decision on these salary adjustments, the implications for the budget and the employees involved remain critical considerations for the Board of Commissioners.