How the Salary Setting Process Works
We conduct the salary setting business every two years from January through May of the odd-numbered year.
The next salary setting session will begin in January 2009. All of our meetings are conducted in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act and are open to the public.
In November 2008 we will meet to adopt our upcoming meeting schedule. At that time, it also addresses organizational matters for the upcoming salary setting session.
Statute sets out the following process:
- The first step is to adopt a "proposed" two-year salary schedule. The "proposal" is then placed "on the table" for public input and comment. The proposed salary schedule is adopted at a public meeting in January.
- Public hearings are then held to provide citizens an opportunity to present testimony and comment on the proposal. These hearings are held in cities around the state to provide maximum citizen access to the decision-making process. State law requires that we hold no fewer than four public hearings. Individuals that are not able to attend a meeting or hearing are encouraged to send their comments via phone, fax, mail, or email. Commissions are very interested in hearing from you. Click here for information on how to send your comments to us.
- At the last public hearing held in May, a final two-year salary schedule must be adopted. It may or may not be the same as the proposal adopted in January.
- That salary schedule must be filed with the Secretary of State not later than the first Monday in June.
- The salary schedule automatically becomes law 90 days after filing with the Secretary of State unless a voter referendum petition is filed. Click on Salary Schedule to view the current salary schedule for the elected officials.
Neither the Governor, the Legislature, nor the Commission can change or overturn the salary schedule after it has been adopted and filed with the Secretary of State. Only the voters can overturn a salary schedule through the referendum process.
We will begin our next salary session in January 2009. A salary schedule for the state's elected officials will be adopted for 2009 and 2010.
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