Duchesne County commission adopts budget transfers and sets 2026 wage increases for elected officials

Duchesne County commissioners approved a package of budget adjustments and a pay-setting resolution for elected officials at their Dec. 22 meeting.

Finance staff explained Resolution 25-13 would open the 2025 budget to move $4,692,295 into a fund identified in the record to cover a judgment the county must pay. Staff also said $2,533,933 must be transferred out of another fund to account for interest and budget limits. A motion to adopt Resolution 25-13 was made by S3 and seconded by S2; the transcript records vocal 'Aye' responses during consideration.

The commission then considered Resolution 25-14, a related transfer of $692,255, and Resolution 25-15 to adopt the county’s 2026 budget totals across multiple funds. Finance staff presented the 2026 draft numbers for the general fund and many restricted funds and asked the commission to approve the budget for the coming year.

Commissioners also debated and approved Resolution 25-16 to set elected official and department-head wages for 2026. Staff described the proposal as a series of percentage increases intended to narrow pay disparities between elected officers and staff. Under the proposal, commissioner pay and commission chairperson pay would increase by 5%, the county attorney’s increase would be 3%, the assessor 7%, the clerk/auditor/recorder/treasurer 5% and the sheriff’s pay would increase by 14.57%.

During discussion, several commissioners said the increases are intended to keep elected positions competitive and to avoid a situation where deputies or staff earn more than the elected officer. A motion to adopt Resolution 25-16 was made by S4 and seconded; the motion proceeded toward adoption.

The commission also introduced Ordinance 25-428, which would set the commission’s meeting schedule for 2026, and placed it on the agenda for adoption. Staff announced Resolution 25-17 (building department fees) and public defender contract discussions would be scheduled for future consideration.

At 12:18 p.m. the chair moved the commission into a closed session to discuss personnel matters related to professional competence or the physical or mental health of an individual; the motion carried on recorded vocal 'Aye' responses.

The commission’s recorded budget motions and wage-setting resolution were moved and seconded in open session; the transcript records motions and vocal approvals but does not include a full roll-call vote in every case. Commissioners asked staff to finalize paperwork and execute transfers consistent with the adopted resolutions.