Largest increase goes to Freeborn County attorney

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners approved 2018 wage increases for themselves and other elected officials Dec. 19.

The largest wage increase will go to Freeborn County Attorney David Walker, who will be paid 6.5 percent more than he was this year.

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Walker’s salary at $108,522. His 2017 salary is nearly $101,900.

District 5 Commissioner Mike Lee said Wednesday Walker deserved the raise based on his performance after he assumed the position following the retirement of former county attorney Craig Nelson in 2016.

“He’s done a good job,” he said.

“I think he’s doing great.”

Commissioners approved a $326 yearly increase in their salary, resulting in their salary rising to $23,000 from $22,674.

The measure passed on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Glen Mathiason, Chris Shoff and Jim Nelson voted yes. Commissioners Lee and Dan Belshan voted no.

Lee said he did not feel comfortable giving himself a raise when families are struggling financially, resulting in children needing assistance to be able to eat lunch at school.

Commissioners who voted for the increase cited the relatively low wage Freeborn County commissioners are paid and said increasing the salary could lure more people to run for commissioner.

Other 2018 salaries are the following:

• $83,143 for Auditor/Treasurer Pat Martinson, a 5 percent increase from her 2017 salary of $79,184.

“I’m very grateful and appreciate the confidence that the commissioners put in me,” she said Wednesday.

• $69,867 for Recorder Kelly Callahan, a 4 percent increase from his 2017 salary of $67,180.

• $92,403 for Sheriff Kurt Freitag, a 3 percent increase from his 2017 salary of $89,712.

Lee said those raises were consistent with union contracts approved by the county.

“That’s probably about fair,” he said.

Freeborn County Administrator Thomas Jensen said commissioners were united on increasing salaries for nearly all county officials.

“It seemed like they were all going the same direction,” he said. “They were on the same page on what they wanted to give and what raise they were thinking in their own minds.”