Notice has been given by the Uintah County Commissioners that a public hearing will be held Tuesday, September 16th, at 3:00pm in the Uintah County Commission Chambers to consider a planned compensation increase for executive county officers in the 2026 Budget. This follows on the heels of discussion during the work session of the Uintah County Commission held on August 27th. Clerk Auditor Mike Wilkins introduced the topic of elected officials’ salaries, emphasizing that over the last 11 years the Sheriff and County Attorney salaries were increased by 23% and 50% while other elected officials, minus the Commission, received only a 2.5% raise in that time. He also stated that the Commissioners’ salaries have not increased since 2015. Wilkins presented information on counties with comparable populations in the state and claimed that the data shows that elected officials in Uintah County have been discriminated against over the last decade. He asked the Commissioners to consider a 10% raise for elected officials except the County Attorney and Sheriff. Treasurer Wendi Long also spoke and emphasized that a salary conducive to the work load will entice better candidates to the positions in the future. Assessor Danette Brooks read a letter on behalf of Recorder Brenda McDonald and also made comments, encouraging the Commissioners to consider the increase. At the end of the work session Mike Wilkins made the following concluding comments: “We as elected officials respectfully request that you do the process that we need to do to increase our salaries and yours. I mean I’m not here just fighting for the four offices of us. I’m also here to fight for you guys because you are the governing body. You are the CEOs of an $80 million dollar business and you have employees, you have police officers sorry making more than you are, and that’s not right. That’s my comment so I respectfully request that this be put on a, according to the code, it’s got to have a public hearing on it.” Public input will be invited on this topic during the Public Hearing scheduled for September 16th, at 3:00pm in the Uintah County Commission Chambers.
