Logo courtesy of Butte County

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - Butte County supervisors will see their annual salaries more than double next week, following a contentious 3-2 vote earlier this summer to align their compensation with that of California state legislators. 

The increase, approved on July 29 and finalized Aug. 12, raises base pay from $62,827 to $132,703 and shifts all future adjustments from Butte County by directly tying them to salaries set by the California Citizens Compensation Commission. The change takes effect on Oct. 13, the beginning of the next pay period. 

Chief Administrative Officer Andy Pickett presented the proposal earlier this summer, describing the current compensation model as outdated and misaligned with the full-time demands of the role. He said the existing salary, set at 26 percent of a judge’s pay, no longer reflects the workload supervisor’s shoulder. 

“This is not a part-time job anymore; every supervisor works full-time or more,” Pickett said. “Yet, the compensation model is still based on part-time work, which excludes many qualified candidates who hold traditional 8 to 5 jobs.”

Supervisors oversee policy and budget decisions for law enforcement, fire protection, libraries, infrastructure and water conservation. They also indirectly manage state-mandated programs in behavioral health, public health, social services and child support. Each supervisor serves dozens of boards, commissions, committees and exercises quasi-judicial authority in local disputes. Pickett emphasized that the role has evolved significantly, requiring sustained commitment beyond standard hours. 

“It’s no longer sustainable to expect individuals to commit 40 plus hours a week, often including nights and weekends, while being compensated as if they’re working part-time,” Pickett said.

Pickett also addressed public misconceptions about board raises, noting that over the past decade, supervisors received only one 3 percent increase. 

“Meanwhile, other county employees have seen cumulative raises between 29 percent and 44 percent,” Pickett said. “The data shows that the board has been conservative in adjusting its own compensation.”

Three salary adjustment options were presented. The highest, aligning with state legislators at $132,703, was approved. A more modest $127,580 motion by Supervisor Bill Connelly failed to receive a second. A third option based on the average of 14 comparable counties, approximately $109,000, was not considered.

The final vote broke along familiar lines, with Supervisors Tod Kimmelshue, Connelly and Doug Teeter voting in favor, and Supervisors Tami Ritter and Peter Durfee voting against. Both dissenting supervisors expressed concern about the timing and scale of the increase. Ritter questioned whether doubling board compensation was appropriate given ongoing budget pressures and departmental challenges. Durfee also cited fiscal concerns and emphasized the need to prioritize county services.

Public responses were mixed. John Stonebraker, a longtime Butte County resident, voiced support for a raise but said doubling the salary seemed excessive. 

“Public service should be driven by passion, not pay,” Stonebraker said. 

Stonebraker acknowledged the hours and commitment required but had urged the board to remain mindful of the reasons people choose to serve.

During deliberations, one supervisor questioned the use of state legislator pay as a benchmark given Butte County’s lower cost of living. Despite dissent, the majority decided the legislator benchmark offered a depoliticized path forward. The approved adjustment will be implemented through a one-time reset with future increases occurring automatically without opportunity for public input. 

Pickett defended the proposal as a necessary step to attract and retain qualified leaders capable of navigating the county’s complex challenges. 

Critics said the move supports incumbency.

In addition to base salary, Butte County supervisors receive a $620 monthly mileage allowance for in-county travel and are reimbursed at the IRS rate for out-of-county trips. They may opt for a county-issued cell phone or receive a $70 monthly stipend for using a personal device for county business. Benefits include access to the County’s Employee Assistance Program and long-term disability insurance covering 60 percent of monthly earnings, up to $5,000 per month, with a 90-day waiting period.

Supervisors also participate in the county’s retirement system, though reported wages do not include the county’s payments toward unfunded pension liabilities. According to the latest CalPERS actuarial report for fiscal year 2025–26, Butte County’s unfunded pension liability across all departments totals approximately $174.6 million. While the supervisors’ pay hike does not directly affect this debt, critics argued that any compensation increase should be weighed against long-term obligations like retirement funding, which continue to strain county budgets.