County commissioners approve 2.5% pay hikes for future elected officials; next elected sheriff’s compensation bumped up

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Clinton County Commissioners, at a special, brief (4 minutes, 19 seconds) Tuesday night meeting approved a 2.5% annual pay increase for county officials elected in 2023 and assuming office in 2024.

The meeting also saw the commissioners approve a one-time jump in the pay for the sheriff elected next year. Earlier Tuesday the county had listed $59,421 proposed for sheriff in 2024, but a later posting increased that amount to $65,455. That action, approved without comment Tuesday night, put the sheriff’s compensation in line with pay for register & recorder and prothonotary.

As approved Tuesday night, a 2.5% annual increase for each year, 2024 through 2027, is in the offing for positions to be elected next year, to include all three commissioner slots, register and recorder, sheriff, prothonotary and three part-time auditors. The county district attorney position will also be on the ballot next year but that pay scale is set by the state.

The only comment on the board action came from commissioner Angela Harding. She said news of the increases had been “under scrutiny” in the community and made a point to say the hikes approved were not “setting the salaries for the three of us.” but for those elected next year. She indicated that two of the current commissioners are likely running in the new year. She defended the work of the current board, that “through advocacy…work to make the county the best it can be.” She said if she could separate herself out, she would “give myself a pay freeze” but said that is not the way county government works.

The new pay scale for each position under county domain, for the year 2024:

Commissioner, $66,414…

Register and Record, $65,455…

Sheriff, $65,455…

Prothonotary, $65,455…

Auditor, $26,272…

Each slot would see a 2.5% in each succeeding year, 2025, 2026 and 2027.