Davison County Commissioners approve 2024 wage hikes for employees, elected officials, and themselves

By Mitchell Now January 4, 2024 8:05 am

Davison County employees and elected Davison County officials will receive a 5 percent wage increase. The Davison County Commission approved the rate hike at Wednesday’s meeting. Commissioner John Claggett told the commission that Governor Noem’s office recommended a 5 percent increase. Davison County Auditor Sue Kiepke said during recent 2024 budget talks, the proposed increase was slightly higher – 6 percent.

The CPI, or Consumer Price Index, which measures the average change in prices paid by consumers for a market basket of goods and services, is 3.2 percent. Last year, Davison County employees and elected officials received an 8 percent wage increase. After declining to give themselves raises last year, commissioners also approved a 5 percent increase for themselves this year.

At yesterday’s first meeting of 2024, Claggett was re-elected as vice-chairperson, and Randy Reider was re-elected as chairperson.

Also, the Davison County Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday night approved a conditional use permit for an indoor gun range which would be built next to the Davison County Shooting Club range west of Mitchell. Firesteel Sportsman’s Club, which is a local shooting organization, is interested in building the indoor range.

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