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The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved increases in salaries for the county’s attorney and sheriff for 2025 after considering their accomplishments, qualifications and responsibilities.

Sheriff Ryan Shea’s salary will increase from $137,000 to $145,000.

Attorney David Walker’s salary will increase from $138,000 to $148,000.

The two elected positions are not included in separate cost of living adjustments made for other county employees, and state statute requires their salaries be approved annually by the board.

Walker and Shea presented their requests for the upcoming year at a workshop last month.

Fifth District Commissioner Nicole Eckstrom motioned for the increase to $148,000 for Walker, saying she made the motion after reviewing Walker’s information provided to the commissioners regarding his qualifications, responsibilities and duties.

She said she has appreciated how Walker has always been responsive to help answer legal questions that have helped the commissioners make better policy.

The motion passed 3-1, with 2nd District Commissioner Dawn Kaasa voting no, and 4th District Commissioner Chris Shoff absent. Walker had asked for $150,000.

Kaasa initially motioned to set Shea’s salary at $148,000, as had been recommended by the sheriff, but the motion died for lack of a second.

Eckstrom then motioned to set Shea’s salary at $145,000, to which Commissioner John Forman seconded.

Eckstrom said her motion was also made after reviewing the information Shea provided regarding his duties and responsibilities. She referenced what she described as great things he has done in the position, including seeing more deputies out on the roads.

Kaasa said she thought Shea has done a wonderful job of building morale and noted that the Sheriff’s Office is close to being fully staffed. She also referenced an increase in per diem with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract that was negotiated.

Shea said when he took over in the position, the department was six short on patrol with an additional two retirements.

The department is now restructured, and the six deputies designated for transport are now designated with patrol, increasing from 12 on patrol to 18 on patrol. They are currently one deputy short.