What Snohomish County officials earn
Published 8:33 pm Thursday, March 29, 2012
Appointees to the Snohomish County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries of Elected Officials started meeting last month to decide what a dozen elected leaders should earn. These unpaid commissioners can weigh several factors in their decision, including the pay that elected leaders get in other jurisdictions, how wages have changed for county workers and the overall state of the economy. At an April 11 public hearing, people will have a chance to testify.
Purpose
The commission meets every other year. In 2010, members decided to keep county leaders’ salaries at 2009 levels — without cost-of-living raises. Those salaries remain in effect through this year.
This time, the commission can choose to increase or decrease pay. However, any pay cuts can only take effect after an incumbent’s term is over.
Who’s on the commission
There are 10 members. Six are selected by lot by the county auditor from among the county’s registered voters. The other four must have experience in specific sectors: law, business, organized labor and human resources. Commission members are recommended by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council.
Meeting schedule
(6 p.m. every other Wednesday)
• April 11 — Public hearing
• April 25 — Final meeting
Location: Sixth floor executive board room, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett
What officials here and elsewhere earn now
| King County Executive Dow Constantine | $202,510 |
| Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy | $179,336 |
| Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn | $174,056 |
| Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire | $166,891 |
| Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna | $151,718 |
| Superior Court judges | $148,832 |
| Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Roe | $148,832 |
| Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon | $147,099 |
| Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick | $121,061 |
| Snohomish County Council Chairman Brian Sullivan* | $113,057 |
| Snohomish County Assessor Cindy Portmann | $104,360 |
| Other Snohomish County Council members | $102,779 |
| Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel | $99,310 |
| Snohomish County Clerk Sonya Kraski | $98,789 |
| Snohomish County Treasurer Kirke Sievers | $98,789 |
| Washington state representatives and senators | $42,106 |
* As a matter of compensation policy, the County Council chairman earns more than other members.
For comparison, Snohomish County in 2010
• Median household income: $66,300
• Median income for a full-time male worker: $56,152
• Median income for a full-time female worker: $41,621
More information
• Snohomish County Citizens’ Commission on Salaries of Elected Officials: www.snoco.org; search for “salary commission”
• Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries of Elected Officials: www.salaries.wa.gov
• Everett (began meeting March 21): www.ci.everett.wa.us
• Edmonds (began meeting March 26): www.edmondswa.gov
• Marysville (will start meeting after July 1, date to be determined): www.marysvillewa.gov
• Stanwood (newly established): www.ci.stanwood.wa.us
