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Even a last minute extra boost in pay for two offices passed with scant discussion.

Commissioners were prepared to approve new salaries for the clerk, treasurer, register of deeds, drain commissioner, prosecutor and sheriff for new terms beginning Jan. 1, when Commissioner William Walters proposed more pay for register of deeds and the drain commissioner.

All the positions had been recommended for pay hikes, with the exception of the drain commissioner, which was supposed to get a slight decrease as recommended by the personnel and finance committees.

But the rest of the board agreed with Walters' proposal for an additional $500 for both the drain chief, whose pay would have decreased by $82 for the new term, and for 'deeds, which was recommended for a 4 percent or $1843 increase.

Walters felt the new drain commissioner -- the current drain chief is retiring -- was entitled to the higher wage because of the change in health insurance benefits for full-time elected and appointed officials. Under the policy, adopted in 2005, officials are entitled to 100% paid single-subscriber insurance, but must pay to add a spouse or other family members to the plan.

Walters cited no reason for increasing the pay for register of deeds, other than the position "deserves a little more too."

Commissioners approved the salaries on a unanimous vote. The wages beginning Jan. 1 will be: clerk $50,000 (2% increase); treasurer $49,000 (5% increase); register of deeds $45,500 (5% increase); drain commissioner $45,582 (1% increase); prosecutor $76,500 (3% increase); and sheriff $55,200 (minimal increase of $19).

Meanwhile, on a split vote, commissioners established the health insurance benefit for newly elected or appointed road commissioners and county commissioners.

Under the motion, which was effective May 8, new commissioners will receive 75% county-paid, single subscriber health insurance, and the official paying the cost of adding a spouse or for the family plan.

While current commissioners on both the county board and road board now get 75% paid insurance, spouse and family coverage is provided at no additional cost to the officeholder.

Last week's motion, approved on a 5-2 vote, does not change the benefit for current commissioners.

The motion was opposed by Commissioners Norton Schramm and Gary Russell.

"We don't deserve benefits (because we're part-time officials)," said Schramm. "Plus, we just voted for raises," he said, referring to recently approved raises of between 25.6% and 38% for the county board and road commission.

In other business, the commissioners: