Did the Board of Commissioners give itself a 60% raise?

No, this is false. First, the Board of Commissioners cannot give themselves a raise. Only a separate, independent entity called the “Officers Compensation Commission” can do that.

However, the Officers Compensation Commission voted in early 2024 to give raises to other elected officials in 2025 and 2026. They voted to increase pay for the Board of Commissioners, but that vote did not pass.

Democrats and the media immediately attacked the Board and claimed they gave themselves a 60% raise. They failed to mention the Chair of the Ottawa County Democratic Party was also the Chair of the Officers Compensation Commission, and that he was appointed by the prior board in 2022.

As a result, the next Board of Commissioners in 2025/2026 will not receive a raise. Other elected officials will still receive raises in 2025 and 2026.