Hennepin County Commissioners Approve Smaller Pay Hike for Themselves

Elected leaders from Hennepin County voted 6-0 to give themselves a pay hike Tuesday while also voting to increase pay for the sheriff and county attorney.

The County Board voted Tuesday on a 5 percent pay raise for each of the next two years for elected commissioners.

That’s much lower than the 49 percent pay hike originally proposed by commissioner Irene Fernando last month. Her proposal received widespread pushback. Fernando said she offered the proposal based on a salary study she did comparing elected officials’ pay with neighboring counties.

Hennepin County commissioners currently make an annual salary of $122,225 per year plus benefits.

Sheriff, County Attorney To Receive Big Pay Bumps

Meanwhile, the sheriff and county attorney will each earn $224,000 starting next year. The board approved increases of 21 percent and 15 percent respectively for those elected positions in 2025 and an additional 3 percent increase in 2026.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty currently makes $195,065, while Sheriff Dawanna Witt makes $185,775.

Tuesday’s board meeting can be viewed here.

Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Park | Crystal | Golden Valley | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Plymouth | Robbinsdale