EDITOR:
A recent letter to the editor by Platte County Recorder of Deeds Christopher Wright contained several inaccuracies regarding both the county’s budget process and personal comments about the salary commission election.
First, ‘the claim that the $600,000 the prosecuting attorney is upset about was recommended by the auditor as arbitrary’ value is false. The auditor’s recommended budget (ARB), published Nov. 13, 2025, fully funded the prosecuting attorney’s request and the sheriff’s critical operational needs. It did not fund all requests, including 5% to 15% cost of living adjustments (COLAs), additional deputy positions, or certain multi-year contract payments. The county commission agreed with these recommendations and included them in their recommended budget.
The ARB also included a $1.8 million transfer from the law enforcement tax reserve to the general fund, consistent with the reserve’s intended purpose. When the commission proposed budget was released on Dec. 23, 2025, the commission reduced the transfer by $600,000 by adjusting the countywide COLA from 5% to 2.5% and making additional line item reductions across the general fund. These decisions were made during a Dec. 15, 2025 budget work session and reflect deliberate fiscal choices. Similar reductions were experienced when the mill levy was reduced to .01 per $100 assessed valuation and sales tax growth slowed–conditions the county is currently facing.
Second involves the assertions related to the 30% increase for elected officials. Similar comments and criticisms have occurred over the past 16 years. Some who publicly oppose these increases nonetheless accepted the higher compensation in their subsequent terms. Citizens should understand that wages for the elected positions have not remained competitive over time, while the demands placed on certain offices have expanded significantly. These expanded duties are layered on top of increasing operational and statutory responsibilities as the county’s population and service continue to grow.
If opposition to these increases is sincere, officials may return the additional compensation to the county. Beginning with the 2027 budget–when the next off cycle salary adjustments take effect for officials elected in 2026–I intend to include a general fund revenue line titled “Donations–Elected Officials Returned Wages.” This will allow the public to clearly see whether any returned wages materialize.
Questions may be directed to me at krobinson@co.platte.mo.us.
--Kevin Robinson
Platte County Auditor
