HAGERSTOWN – Washington County residents will finally have the opportunity to comment on potential pay adjustments for elected officials when the Salary Study Commission holds a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 12, at 6 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room at the county administration building in Hagerstown.
Public participation is encouraged, either through in-person oral testimony or by submitting written comments in advance to [email protected].
As first reported by Radio Free Hub City, the entire salary review process is more than a year behind the schedule required by state law. Maryland statute mandates that the Salary Study Commission be appointed by March 31 every four years, with the most recent cycle requiring appointments no later than March 31, 2024.
The commission must also conduct at least one public hearing and deliver its final report and recommendations to the county commissioners by Dec. 1 of the appointment year.
The nine-member commission draws representatives from a cross-section of the community: the county’s political Central committees, Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau and League of Women Voters, the Western Maryland Central Labor Council, the Cumberland Valley Associated Builders and Contractors, the Joint Veterans Council of Washington County and one at-large resident selected by the county commissioners.
All members must be registered county voters who have participated in at least two elections during the previous four years, including a gubernatorial election, and none may currently serve as elected officials or employees of the offices under review.
The commission is responsible for evaluating compensation for key positions, including the commissioners, the Board of Education, the Board of Liquor License Commissioners, judges of the Orphans’ Court, and the county Treasurer.
In making its recommendations, the commission considers factors such as the scope of each office’s responsibilities, education and licensing requirements, time commitment, comparative salaries in similar jurisdictions, pay levels of subordinate staff and overall workload.
On Feb. 10, 2025, Radio Free Hub City submitted a Public Information Act request seeking the overdue 2024 study results. Four days later, on Feb. 14, the commission forwarded preliminary recommendations to the county commissioners proposing an 8.14 percent increase for most positions under review.
The change would raise the commissioners’ annual salary from the current $38,000 to about $41,000 and increase the commission president’s pay from $41,000 to $44,300, according to county documents posted on its website. No adjustment was recommended for the county treasurer.
The upcoming Jan. 12 hearing represents the statutorily required opportunity for community input.
Following the session, the commission will finalize its recommendations and forward them to the county commissioners. Under state law, the commissioners have 60 days to accept, reduce or reject the proposed salary adjustments through legislation. They are not permitted to increase the recommended amounts.
County officials have emphasized that the hearing offers residents an important opportunity to share their views on elected officials’ compensation. The public is invited to attend in person or submit written testimony by email to ensure all perspectives are considered as the process moves forward.
