Orput, O'Rourke, Hutton receive pay raises

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The Washington County Board OK’d salary increases for a handful of top county officials at its final meeting of 2012 last week.

The approved increases are:

- County Administrator Molly O’Rourke, the highest-paid county staff member, will be paid a 2013 salary of $147,609, a 1.5 percent increase over 2012;

- A 2.4 percent increase for Sheriff Bill Hutton, bringing his 2013 pay to $135,795, and the county’s chief sheriff’s deputy, who will be paid $122,216;

- County Attorney Pete Orput will receive a 3 percent bump, to $135,795, his first assistant $122,216 and the attorney’s executive assistant $52,498.

Board members voted 5-0 for a zero increase in their own 2013 salaries, leaving commissioner pay at $52,713. Commissioner salaries have remained level since 2009.

“I just want to commend us for not giving ourselves a pay increase when people are still losing their jobs,” said District 4 Commissioner Autumn Lehrke, who represents south Washington County.

–Jon Avise

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