Commissioners increase pay for elected officials

The Susquehanna County Commissioners held a special meeting on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7, to set the salaries for the local elected county officials who will take office in January 2024. Under Pennsylvania law, the salary must be set for the full four-year term prior to election.

Even with the increases, the salaries for Susquehanna County’s elected officials lags behind similar sixth class counties in the state, said Commissioner Alan Hall at the meeting. He cited salaries in Crawford County which are at the top end of spectrum with officials there making above $70,000 per year.

For about nine years, the commissioners froze the salaries for the elected officials, while increasing their insurance contributions. Salaries were raised three percent in 2022 with insurance premium contributions set to increase to 35 percent in the coming year. Susquehanna County elected officials make between $55,000-$60,000.

For 2024 and 2025, the commissioners, treasurer, auditors, and register/recorder will receive a 4.25 percent increase in pay. The coroner will get a larger increase in those years in an effort to bring the salary for that office closer in line with other elected officials.

The elected officials will also see slightly smaller increases in 2026 and 2027.

Salaries for the sheriff and prothonotary/clerk of courts were set prior to the 2021 election year.

County officials up for election in 2023 include the commissioners, treasurer, coroner, and register/recorder.