Morton County commissioners want to fairly distribute next year's pay raises, but also are making sure newly elected officials start out making less than their predecessors.

Commissioners unanimously passed Bob Christensen's motion to distribute 2006 pay raises at a flat rate per employee rather than percentage raises. When approving its budget last month, the commission provided a 3 percent increase for total salary dollars.

Auditor Paul Trauger said he had polled department heads, and most preferred percentage increases rather than across the board. Commissioner Bob Christensen said percentage raises favored those making the most money, and he said he believed a flat rate would be more of an incentive for lower-paid employees to stay with the county, particularly in the Sheriff's Department.

Commissioners agreed in approving the flat rate scenario, which Trauger estimated would be about $90 a month.

The commission also approved a motion by Matt Erhardt, reducing the salary of a newly elected first-time official to 80 percent of what was paid the previous office holder.

Erhardt said that many of the county's elected officers had been on the job for many years and didn't think it was fair that a first-time office holder receive the same compensation.

Trauger noted this will only apply to those office-seekers in the 2006 election, since the commissioners cannot bind future commissions to the decision.

In other business, the Morton County Commission:

3 Approved emergency manager Tammy Lapp-Harris' request for a letter from the commission stating the county does not have a moonlighting policy.

Lapp-Harris is considering doing some consultant work for the engineering firm of Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson Inc., and the company asked for the letter.

Commissioners gave their approval contingent that the work not interfere with Lapp-Harris' county duties.

3 Approved a Sheriff's Department request to purchase three vehicles through the state bidding process.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)