Salary freeze approved for Kandiyohi County Commissioners

WILLMAR -- The Kandiyohi County Commissioners approved a $60 million budget today that doesn't include a raise for themselves.

The commissioners agreed to forfeit their annual cost of living raise for 2009.

"I don't think it's time to give ourselves a raise," said Commissioner Dean Shuck.

The county is expecting to take a hit in local government aid as part of the state's budget-reduction efforts. Besides working with less revenue, the commissioners are trying to keep spending in check.

Chairman Richard Larson hinted that the salary freeze the commissioners are taking could be something that county employees could expect in the future.

It could be the "trend for the future that others may possibly follow," said Larson.