The Nye County commissioners last week approved pay raises of from 3 to 4 percent for themselves, judges, members of the sheriff's office and administrative staff.

The commissioners also approved longevity payments for eligible employees, ranging from 4.5 to 20 percent of yearly salaries.

The payroll changes were easy to overlook on the board's agenda as they were placed in the consent agenda under the description "personnel actions."

The consent agenda generally consists of a list of items the county's staff recommends for approval. It's common practice for the list to be passed without discussion, although anyone among the commissioners can move a consent item to the regular segment of the agenda, should issues arise that need to be addressed.

According to county Human Resource Manager Danelle Shamrell, the payments for elected officials were negotiated in collective bargaining agreements and are calculated each July. Longevity pay is not given as a lump sum but added to each pay period throughout the year.

For instance, District Attorney Bob Beckett, received a 3 percent salary increase to $112,049 per year. He also receives a 20 percent longevity payment, based on his number of years with the county. That's an additional $22,409 bringing his total pay to $134,445.88.

With their 3 percent raises, Justices of the Peace Tina Brisebill and Kent Jasperson, along with Tonopah's Joe Maslach and Gus Sullivan, have the same yearly salary of $73,799. However, 16 percent longevity pay adds $11,807 to Brisebill's income, bringing her yearly salary to $85,606. Maslach earns an extra 20 percent for longevity, upping his salary to $88,558.

Jasperson, in his first year on the bench, is not eligible for longevity pay. Sullivan also does not yet qualify.

County Clerk Sam Merlino, Assessor Sandra Musselman and Recorder Byron Foster received 3 percent salary increases to each earn $73,799. Merlino's 16 percent longevity pay brings her salary to $85,606, while Musselman's 18 percent longevity rate adds $14,759 for total compensation of $88,558.

Foster is not eligible for longevity pay.

County Treasurer Gary Budahl's new base salary is also $73,799. This is his first year of eligibility for longevity pay, which begins at 8 percent, earning him an additional $5,903 for a total salary of $79,702.

Sheriff Tony DeMeo earned a 3 percent raise to $92,909. His longevity went from 10 to 12 percent, adding $9,290 for total compensation of $102,199.

The five county commissioners each earned a 4 percent raise to $25,643.

Two commissioners have survived the political process long enough to be eligible for longevity pay. Chairman Joni Eastley received a 16 percent payment of $4,102 to bring her total compensation to 29,745. Gary Hollis has qualified for his first longevity payment of 8 percent, or $2,051, for a total of $27,694.

Anniversary pay increases for hourly employees in various county departments are also listed in the same consent agenda. They may be viewed on the county's Web site: www.nyecounty.net. Click on agendas and meetings, then open board of county commissioners 2009 to reach the Aug. 4 meeting.