Lyon justices get salary increase

Feeling left behind compared to others in their field, Lyon County's justices of the peace asked the Lyon County Commissioners for a raise.

They got one.

The Lyon County commissioners Thursday approved an across-the-board salary rate for all three of the county's justices to $80,000 with no longevity percentage, which will be negotiated at the next budget session in May 2007. The increases will become effective Jan. 1, 2007.

The three justices, Dennis Milligan of Walker River Justice Court, Bill Rogers of Dayton Justice Court and Robert Bennett of Canal Township Justice Court are all paid at different rates. Rogers is the highest paid because his court is the busiest.

But with the transfer of the Silver Springs area to Canal Township Justice Court and the merger of the Mason Valley Justice Court and the Smith Valley Justice Court into the Walker River Justice Court, the caseloads have become more even, Bennett said.

Previously, the justices were paid $65,000 for the Dayton court, $61,000 for the Canal Township court and $48,000 for the Walker River court, which was listed as part-time, four days a week, though Milligan said he worked five days a week more often than not.

Milligan said judges used to be paid through fees. Later it was changed to pay per day based on the number of days worked. But, he said, with the continuing growth of Lyon County and the increased caseload each justice handles, they should have set salaries comparable to other justices in the state.

"Some trials go on three days - we don't know how long these things will go on," he said. "If someone needs a restraining order, they can't wait."

The salaries in other Nevada counties range from a low of $42,300 in Esmeralda County to $128,700 in Las Vegas.

Lyon County Controller Josh Foli advised the county that increases were not in the budget and would have to come out of contingency funds.

Rogers said the trio did not come before the board during the May budget negotiations because state statutes stipulate that justices must request increases in July of an election year.

"What we're looking for is fairness," he said. "We're not looking to rip anyone off, but what's fair is fair."

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.

What they make in Lyon County

- Justice Bill Rogers of Dayton Justice Court " $65,000 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Justice Robert Bennett of Canal Twp Justice Court " $61,000 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Justice Dennis Milligan of Walker River Justice Court " $48,000

What some others make

- Las Vegas " $128,700 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Reno/Sparks " $122,699 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Carson City " $113,602 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Elko " $107,456

- Douglas County " $107,265

- Laughlin " $83,655 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Winnemucca " $82,500 + about $3,200 in marriage fees

- Beatty, Pahrump and Tonopah " $65,012 + 1 percent longevity after four years

- Argenta " $63,000 + 2 percent longevity (maximum 20 percent)

- Esmeralda " $42,300

As of Jan. 1, 2007

- $80,000 for all justices in Lyon County