Commissioners approve resolution 25-82 adopting 3% pay increase for elected officials for FY26

The Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners on June 26 approved Resolution 25‑82, adopting a 3% pay increase for county elected officials for fiscal year 2026.

County Attorney and chair of the county compensation board, Twito, told commissioners the compensation board met twice, took public comment and consulted the finance director about CPI December numbers before recommending the 3% increase. Twito said the county compensation board “are recommending to the board of county commissioners a 3% raise, for the elected officials for fiscal year '26.”

Twito also explained that state law prescribes the composition of the county compensation board and that because elected positions are “bunched together by statute” the recommendation affects deputy sheriffs as well. He said attachments to the resolution (Attachments A, B and C) set out the actual salary numbers and the effect on the county budget.

A commissioner moved to approve Resolution 25‑82 and a second was recorded. The motion passed by voice vote; commissioners answered “Aye” and the chair announced the resolution had passed. The record shows no roll-call vote and no amendments were offered during the meeting.

The resolution and its attachments were returned to county staff for inclusion in the fiscal‑year 2026 budget materials.