MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County officials are considering hiking the pay range of its attorneys, including those in the county law department, the Public Defender’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office.

Both the Administrative Services, and Audit and Control committees heard presentations by the three departments regarding a proposal to amend a local law that would increase attorney pay ranges.

“Across the state there’s an attorney shortage,” said Patrick Slagle, county attorney.

He said the proposed legislation would help in both recruitment and retention.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt said his office has always struggled finding qualified attorneys. Because of this, they’ve even tried recruiting part-time attorneys, even though “it’s a practice that the county frowns upon.”

He said by offering part-time positions, attorneys can receive county benefits and still maintain a private office where they can make more money. But that attempt hasn’t solved all of their problems.

“We still can’t fill those positions either,” he said.

Schmidt said he’s also had two attorneys in his department request a pay increase because they’ve had offers from private law firms. “You have people who have their heart in public service but they just can’t afford it anymore, so we had to put in additional raises,” he said.

Public Defender Ned Barone said he has had people leave his department to go to the county attorney’s office and the county attorney’s office has had people leave to join his department.

“I don’t think that’s good for the county,” he said.

Barone noted that staff in his department are generally paid on the same level as the District Attorney’s Office, but they both pay better than the county attorney’s office. “I feel sorry for Pat (Slagle) because he can’t compete and he’s going to have a difficult time,” he said.

Human Resources Director Debbie Makowski said they are proposing to increase attorney pay ranges by three salary grades. “Keep in mind, a salary grade increase does not necessarily mean a wage increase for the employees,” she said.

Range 12 attorneys would be paid between $77,475 to $119,082. This would be for assistant county attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant public defender, and assistant Social Services attorney.

Range 14 attorneys would be paid between $84,282 to $131,884. This would be for second assistant county attorney, second assistant district attorney, second assistant public defender, and second assistant Social Services attorney.

Range 16 attorneys would be paid between $91,102 to $146,944. This would be for the first assistant Social Services attorney.

Range 18 attorneys would be paid between $97,922 to $162,004. This would be for first assistant county attorney, first assistant district attorney, first assistant public defender, and Social Services attorney.

Range 19 attorneys would be paid between $101,332 to $169,534. No titles were listed in the local law for this range.

Range 20 attorneys would be paid between $104,742 to $177,064. This would be for the county attorney.

If this local law modification is approved, Makowski said four attorneys would see an immediate pay increase which would impact the county budget by $29,000. She added that the three department heads have told her they can find the money necessary in their individual budgets for this year.

By having the higher salary grades, Slagle said he can request in next year’s budget to have his attorneys paid at the same level as those in the Public Defender’s and District Attorney’s offices.

Barone believes raising these steps, even if they’re not on the same level as private practice, will still help recruit and retain attorneys in the county. “There’s a lot to be said for government employment, whether it’s the county attorney, the DA or with me (in the Public Defender’s Office). … There’s a lot of downside to that private office or a small office. If you want government you’ve got it. There’s camaraderie, you’ve got all the benefits for being in government employment,” he said.

No votes were taken during the committee meetings.

Legislator Tom Harmon, R-Silver Creek, expressed his support. “With the increases we’re going to attract people and I think it’s important to do that,” he said.

Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, asked the three department heads if this was enough of an increase.

Schmidt said he recognizes the county has a limited tax base, but believes this proposed change would give them more discretion to retain good employees.

The full legislature is expected to vote on the local law at its meeting on Wednesday.