By Warren Cornwall
Herald Writer
The Snohomish County prosecutor would get a raise of several thousand dollars under a proposal now before the county council.
Council chair Gary Nelson has revived a plan to have the prosecutor paid as much as Superior Court judges, a $3,000 difference this year.
The previous council rejected a similar plan, against the recommendation of the county’s salary commission. That commission periodically studies what to pay county elected officials, and submits its proposal to the council.
Nelson, who voted for the raise in 2001, said he felt it was fair because even though county voters elect the prosecutor, the person is actually a state officer, like a judge.
The salary increase, if approved, wouldn’t begin until 2003. That’s after the November election for prosecutor, a race that now includes current prosecutor Jim Krider, a Republican, and Democrat Janice Ellis, a former deputy prosecutor and assistant attorney general.
Krider had supported the salary increase in 2001, but wasn’t aware that the proposal was getting a second look, Nelson said. The prosecutor now earns $117,312, while a Superior Court judge makes $120,144. The county pays half of the prosecutor’s salary, with the remainder coming from the state.
Democrats controlled the council in 2001 when the council voted 3-2 not to tie the prosecutor’s salary to judges’ pay.
Councilman Kirke Sievers said he rejected the commission’s proposal then because he wanted the council to keep control over the salaries of all the county elected officials. He stood by that position this week.
"I felt that he should be treated like all the rest," he said.
But Nelson, then the council’s sole Republican, attributed the outcome to the outspoken opposition of councilwoman Barbara Cothern, who opted not to seek reelection in November 2001.
"I know it didn’t pass because Barbara Cothern didn’t like it," he said.
Nelson said the council could always reclaim control of the prosecutor’s salary if they weren’t happy with the raises set by the state. Three other counties, Yakima, Pierce and Kitsap, use the judge’s salary as a benchmark, according to a 2001 salary commission report.
Republicans took control of the council in the November election, and hold a 3-2 majority.
Krider said he continues to support the increase because a prosecutor’s work is similar to that of a judge’s, and because other counties are linking pay for the two positions.
"I’ve always thought it was a good idea. I have not asked that it be brought up again," Krider said. "I just think it’s a good idea for whoever’s prosecutor."
But Ellis said she didn’t support a raise for elected officials when the county is faced with tighter finances.
"It just appears to me to be an effort by Jim Krider to swell his salary," she said.
You can call Herald Writer Warren Cornwall at 425-339-3463 or send e-mail to cornwall@heraldnet.com.
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