Sierra County Approves Wage Increases for Management

SIERRA COUNTY — On Tuesday, the Sierra County Board of Supervisors approved two resolutions effectively increasing wages for county mid-management employees and department heads. The approval came after months of negotiations and discussions, with the ultimate decision being an approximately 5% raise for mid-management and a 4% raise for department heads. The 1% difference was suggested by Adams, who explained that giving the same 5% at the higher pay of department heads would significantly widen the gap between mid-management and department head pay.

Instead of giving a direct percentage increase, the Board chose to provide fixed-amount increases based on the average wage. For example, the salaries of all mid-management positions are to be averaged. Then, the amount resulting in a 5% increase to the average is to be calculated, and this calculated amount is what will be added to each mid-management employee’s salary. Supervisor Paul Roen explained that such a strategy would help prevent wages within the same tier from becoming too dissimilar.

The Board did not, however, decide on a plan for future cost-of-living adjustments, such as a previously suggested plan of a 5% increase in the current year, 2.5% the next, and another 2.5% in two years. Supervisors Sharon Dryden and Lee Adams found that the economic landscape was too uncertain to make such a promise without knowing what next year’s budget will look like. Still, the Board acknowledged that further salary adjustments would occur in the coming years, and discussions will need to be revisited later in 2025.