IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County’s chief assistant prosecutor will be paid $90,000 annually, effective Jan. 1, up from the current $79,000.

The county board approved the salary for Kristin Kass in a 3-2 vote Tuesday after about 30 minutes of discussion that included words of support from 41st Circuit Court Judge Mary Barglind.

Commissioner John Degenaer Jr., who backed the increase, said a chief assistant’s salary scale $10,000 above the rate paid an assistant prosecutor has already been approved by the board. Also, the board has approved a starting salary of $80,000 for an assistant prosecutor candidate who must finish law school and pass his bar exam.

Prosecutor Lisa Richards explained that she and Kass are serving an office budgeted for up to four full-time prosecutors. “We’ve been operating at 50% since June,” she said.

Richards said it was “disheartening” the board was hesitant to grant Kass a $10,000 increase when she may be put in a position of training a new employee who’s promised a starting salary above her current rate.

She said there are 37 openings in prosecutor offices across the state and she has received no applications for the fourth opening in Dickinson County.

The prosecutor said it “hasn’t been easy” keeping up with the workload and it wouldn’t have been possible without Kass. “I can’t run this office alone,” she said.

Commissioner Joe Stevens initially suggested a $5,000 increase now and a $5,000 increase contingent on the new assistant being on board in mid-2024.

Degenaer argued it was illogical for the county to tie the increase to the outcome of the planned hiring. Stevens later changed his mind and supported Degenaer’s motion to pay the $90,000 salary effective in 2024.

Commissioner Barbara Kramer cast the deciding vote in favor but said $10,000 may be cut elsewhere in the county budget “without apologies.”

Chairman Henry Wender and Commissioner Ann Martin voted no, with Martin citing comparative salaries in Delta County that are lower.

Judge Barglind, who had earlier praised Richards and Kass as “exceptional” attorneys, noted the prosecutors in Delta County are less experienced, Kass has 19 years of experience, she said.

Kass thanked the board, including those who voted no, for hearing her concerns about being paid less than a new hire. Regardless of the board’s action, Kass had been due to get a 2% wage increase in 2024, or $1,580. That will be waived as a result of the new salary.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.