Commission reclassifies county clerk pay grade after lengthy discussion

The Riley County Commission voted July 30 to reclassify the county clerk position from pay grade HH to FF, adopting the personnel committee's recommendation and directing staff to set the effective date to coincide with onboarding of a new appointee. The motion was moved, seconded and approved during the meeting.

County Clerk Rich Mardorelli, who spoke to the board during the discussion, said his 30 years in the role gave him perspective on the statutory breadth of the clerk’s responsibilities and urged commissioners to consider recruitment needs: "I guess after 30 years, I feel uniquely qualified to discuss the responsibilities of the clerk," he said. Human resources staff presented comparative pay-grade data and alternatives (GG versus FF), and commissioners debated the role of motor-vehicle stipends and internal equity before approving the reclassification. The board agreed the effective date will be tied to when a new person is hired and directed staff to confirm exact salary range figures.