Wheeler County Starts Work on New Pay Scale

Compensation board aims to create step-based pay system for county employees and officials.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 12:00am

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The Wheeler County Compensation Board has taken the first steps toward creating a step-style pay scale for county employees and elected officials, but the new system won't be finished in time to impact the budget for the coming fiscal year. The board plans to hold at least two more meetings to hammer out the details of the new pay system.

Why it matters

Wheeler County currently lacks an established formula for setting base pay rates and salary increases over time for most county workers and officials, aside from the sheriff's office. The proposed step-based pay system aims to make raises more fair and predictable for county employees while helping the county attract and retain talent.

The details

The proposal to create a written plan for pay increases based on longevity and job description was brought forward by County Clerk Brenda Snow Potter. The compensation board, which includes all three county court members plus three citizens, endorsed the idea but agreed there wasn't enough time to finish the job before adopting the 2026-27 fiscal year budget in mid-June. The board plans to hold at least two more meetings in May to work out the details of the new pay system.

  • The Wheeler County Compensation Board met on March 18 to discuss the new pay scale.
  • The board plans to hold additional meetings on May 13 and May 27 to continue working on the details.

The players

Brenda Snow Potter

Wheeler County Clerk who proposed creating a step-based pay system for county employees and officials.

Cassi Newton

Chair of the Wheeler County Compensation Board.

Candy Humphreys

Member of the Wheeler County Compensation Board.

Matt Davis

Wheeler County Commissioner who expressed concerns about creating a step-based pay system for elected officials.

Ben Logan

Wheeler County Commissioner who also expressed concerns about creating a step-based pay system for elected officials.

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What they’re saying

“You can't have a step program or compensation plan that's just a spreadsheet. There's got to be a narrative to it.”

— Cassi Newton, Chair of the Wheeler County Compensation Board

“I agree we need to do something like this. I'm not sure we're going to do it in one day, but I think we have to do something like this if we're going to be a compensation board.”

— Candy Humphreys, Member of the Wheeler County Compensation Board

“I think it creates some incentive for voters to say if we elect someone else, it gets cheaper.”

— Matt Davis, Wheeler County Commissioner

“I don't want to get to a place where these (elected positions) are considered regular careers.”

— Matt Davis, Wheeler County Commissioner

“Any step increases for county court members should be 'very, very, very small'.”

— Ben Logan, Wheeler County Commissioner

What’s next

The Wheeler County Compensation Board plans to hold additional meetings on May 13 and May 27 to continue working on the details of the new pay scale system.

The takeaway

The creation of a step-based pay system for Wheeler County employees and officials aims to make raises more fair and predictable, while also helping the county attract and retain talented workers. However, the process has raised concerns about the potential impact on elected positions and the need to ensure any pay increases are fiscally responsible.