Senate Bill Would Increase Sheriff Pay

Missouri Senate Bill 53, passed by both the House and Senate, will increase Sheriff Scott Sherer’s pay. Last year, Sheriff Terry Sheddrick was paid $41,733.84 according to the County Financial Statement published in the Sheridan Express on February 24th. Under Senate Bill 53, the county sheriff in first and second class counties will now be paid 80% of the compensation of an associate circuit judge in that county. Third and fourth class counties raise the pay of their sheriff based on their assessed valuation. Worth County’s assessed valuation, according to the Missouri Association of Counties, was $33,919,681 in 2020. Under the proposed law, Worth County will pay Sherer 45% of Judge Joel Miller’s salary. Judge Miller is paid by the state and not the county. The bill awaits Governor Mike Parson’s signature. Both State Rep. Allen Andrews and State Senator Dan Hegeman voted against the measure.