Chapter 2.10
SALARY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.10.050 Rules, regulations and assistance.
2.10.060 Compensation—Expenses.
2.10.070 Powers and duties of the commission.
2.10.010 Establishment—Adams County citizens’ commission on salaries for certain county elected officials.
There is hereby established an advisory commission on salaries of certain county officials, hereafter “commission,” to consist of ten members. The composition of the commission shall be as follows:
A. Six of the ten commission members shall be selected by lot by the county auditor from among those registered voters eligible to vote at the time persons are selected for appointment to full terms on the commission under Section 2.10.020. The county auditor shall select two commission members living in each county commissioner district as defined by Chapter 2.08. The county auditor shall establish policies and procedures for conducting the selection by lot. The policies and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, those for notifying persons selected and for providing a new selection from a county commissioner’s district if a person selected from the district declines appointment to the commission, or if, following the person’s appointment, the person’s position on the commission becomes vacant before the end of the person’s term of appointment.
B. The remaining four of the ten commission members must be residents of Adams County and shall be appointed by a majority vote of the county legislative authority. The persons selected under this subsection shall have had experience in the field of personnel management. Of these four members, one shall be selected from each of the following four sectors in the county: business, professional personnel management, legal profession, and organized labor.
C. Members of the commission may not include any officer, official or employee of Adams County whose salary will be studied in the commission’s responsibilities set forth hereinafter, nor any immediate family member of such officer, official or employee. “Immediate family member” as used in this subsection means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official or employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official or employee.
D. The board of county commissioners reserves the right to disband the commission by a unanimous vote of the legislative authority. (Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.020 Terms.
Appointments to the commission shall be for terms of four years. No person may be appointed to more than two such terms; provided, however, that the clerk of the board of county commissioners shall establish by lot the initial terms of members on the commission so as to provide that:
A. Two shall be appointed for one year;
B. Two shall be appointed for two years;
C. Three shall be appointed for three years; and
D. Three shall be appointed for four-year terms.
E. Thereafter, successors to the first members shall be appointed for four-year terms.
No member of the commission may be removed by the county legislative authority during his or her term of office unless for cause of incapacity, incompetence, negligence of duty or malfeasance or for a disqualifying change of residence. Removal will require a majority vote of the board of county commissioners. (Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.030 Vacancies.
Upon a vacancy in any position on the commission, a successor shall be selected to and appointed to fill the unexpired term in the same manner as the initial appointment and the appointee shall fill the unexpired term. The selection and appointment shall be concluded within thirty days of the date the position becomes vacant and shall be conducted in the same manner as for the original appointment. (Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.040 Officers.
The commission shall elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary at their regular meeting held in February of odd-numbered years. The chairperson or his or her designee shall preside over all meetings and shall be a voting member of the commission. (Ord. O-01-11 (part): Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.050 Rules, regulations and assistance.
The commission shall be subject to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. It shall keep minutes of all meetings and shall further adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of business. The setting of salaries shall be by an affirmative vote of the majority of the quorum present.
The staff of the board of county commissioners, including the clerk of the board and human resources staff/contractors of the county, shall assist the commission by providing information and other such assistance as the commission request. (Ord. O-01-11 (part); Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.060 Compensation—Expenses.
Members of the commission shall serve without compensation and/or per diem. (Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.070 Powers and duties of the commission.
A. The commission shall set salaries of the following Adams County elected officials:
1. Auditor;
2. Assessor;
3. Clerk;
4. Commissioners;
5. Prosecuting attorney, with exception of that portion paid by the state of Washington pursuant to RCW 36.17.020;
6. Sheriff; and
7. Treasurer.
Any change in salary shall be filed by the commission with the county auditor and shall become effective and incorporated into the county budget without further action of the county legislative authority or salary commission. If the initial determination of salaries, after the commission is formed, results in an increase in salary to an elected official, that increase shall take effect immediately upon the commission’s filing of the salary with the auditor. All subsequent increases in salary shall take effect upon January 1st of the year following the filing with the auditor.
B. The commission will determine salaries as soon as possible after the commission is formed. After the initial meeting, the commission will then meet in February of odd-numbered years. All salary adjustments become effective January of the following year.
C. Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to county commissioners and all other elected officials (excluding judges, regardless of their terms of office.)
D. The action fixing the salary of the county commissioners and any other elected officials (excluding judges) by a commission established in conformity with this chapter shall supersede any other provision of any other county ordinance relating to budgets or to the fixing of salaries of any elected officials (excluding judges).
E. Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent county commissioners or other elected officials (excluding judges) at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office. (Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))
2.10.080 Referendum.
A. Salary increases and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the county in the same manner as a county ordinance, upon filing of such petition with the county auditor within thirty days after filing of the salary schedule. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by a vote of the people.
B. The referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the county at the next following general or municipal election occurring thirty days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the state constitution and laws generally applicable to referendum measures. (Ord. O-01-08 § 2 (part))