Commissioners amend sheriff's salary

Antelope County commissioners voted unanimously, Tuesday, to amend the salary for the county sheriff.

Commissioner Dean Smith was absent from the meeting.

Commissioner Carolyn Pedersen told fellow officials she had presented incorrect figures for the position during the board's Dec. 21 meeting and offered corrected salaries at the Jan. 4 meeting.

Pedersen said she compared current sheriff salaries in neighboring counties, with base salaries ranging from $63,000 to $74,423, based on data provied by the Nebraska Association of County Officials.

"I'm embarrassed at what we set the county sheriff's wage at," Pedersen said.

Chairman Charlie Henery asked if salaries could be changed since they were approved.

Pedersen said she contacted county attorney Joe Abler, who said salaries could be amended, as long as they are completed by Jan. 13.

Commissioner Regina Krebs said the Dec. 21 meeting was to be a workshop to discuss a potential increase in wages.

"I didn't even get my laptop opened before the motion was made, it was seconded and Charlie voted on it."

Pedersen said during the Dec. 21 meeting, Henery asked if other figures needed to be discussed.

"There was no discussing anything that day," Krebs said. "And now here we are, we have to come back in. We're spending more time discussing this than we did any of the other wages. It was done thoughtfully," Krebs said.

Henery said, "If it's broke, let's get it fixed."

Krebs expressed concerns that the issue did not show up on the agenda until Monday.

Pedersen said she did not look at the agenda until Monday and contacted county clerk Lisa Payne to make sure Pedersen's request for the discussion item was on the agenda.

Pedersen said sheriff Bob Moore has not made complaints about the salary.

"I'm looking at the big picture," Pedersen said.

Henery added, "It's not Bob. He's our sheriff currently, but we're talking sheriff."

Commissioners approved to amend the sheriff's base salary to $73,000 a year, with $3,836 added in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Additionally, the sheriff will receive a $10,000 stipend for jailor and emergency/911 director.