Big 2027 raises for Carroll County leaders prompt questions

OSSIPEE — Newly approved pay raises for some of Carroll County’s elected officials now stand in stark contrast to salaries in a comparable New Hampshire county, raising fresh questions about how the increases were determined just weeks before candidates begin filing for office.

As previously reported, the Carroll County legislative delegation’s executive committee voted April 3 to dramatically increase salaries for the county attorney, sheriff and register of deeds beginning in 2027, after the next election cycle.

Under the new pay scale, the county attorney will earn $135,000, the sheriff $133,000 and the register of deeds $131,000 — increases ranging from about 19% to roughly 60% depending on the position.

But new data provided Tuesday by Belknap County Administrator Carina Park show those figures are significantly higher than what similar officials currently earn in a neighboring county with a comparable population and economy.

According to Park, Belknap County pays its register of deeds $75,257, its county attorney $102,000 and its sheriff $83,000. She added that the Belknap County Delegation is expected to meet in May to set its own elected officials’ salaries.

The comparison is notable because Carroll and Belknap counties share similar characteristics, including tourism-driven economies, aging populations and relatively small tax bases.

The Carroll County raises were proposed by state Rep. Jonathan Smith (R-Ossipee), who said the increases reflect the level of responsibility carried by the offices.

“The salaries proposed are for positions with immense responsibility and accountability,” Smith said previously. “They are well-deserved and I am grateful the executive committee supported them.”

In a follow-up interview, Smith said the reason for the raises should be self-evident based on the Sun’s previous article.

“I read your article. You already did a comparison to the police chief,” Smith said.

When asked why the salaries were set at specific figures such as $135,000 and $131,000, Smith declined to elaborate further. “Daymond, I explained it. I can add nothing more to what you’re asking,” he said.

Smith also confirmed no formal wage study was conducted. “No, again, I put it like I read it quite simply,” Smith told the Sun, adding that the register of deeds is responsible for “the most important asset that probably every individual within the county owns, which is their home."

State Rep. Bobbi Boudman (D-Wolfeboro), the newest member of the delegation, said her rationale was to equalize the pay of elected officials to those of appointed employees and other staff.

“Karen (Rines) was making less money than, say, a unit manager at the nursing home or a (police) detective,” said Boudman. “The captain of the jail makes $97,000; we have someone heading up our sheriff’s department making less money.”

The raises passed with limited opposition from the five-member executive committee (Smith, Boudman, Lino Avellani (R-Wolfeboro), Chris McAleer (D-Jackson) and John MacDonald (R-Wolfeboro), though MacDonald voted against increases for the sheriff and register of deeds, noting the size of the jump in pay for those positions.The timing of the raises may also shape the upcoming election cycle.

Avellani had no comment for this story.

Under state law, candidates for county office must file between June 3 and June 12. The primary election is scheduled for Sept. 8, followed by the general election on Nov. 3.

Smith suggested higher salaries could encourage more candidates to run.

“Competition is always good,” he said.

MacDonald, who is a retired State Police trooper, said he felt the county attorney raise was fair but the other raises were “exorbitant.” He said he hoped the salaries could have been compared to other counties. The sheriff said his salary was third in the state already.

“There wasn’t enough information to provided to make those decisions,” said MacDonald. “I was surprised they were going to increase the salaries that much.”

Asked whether he expects larger candidate fields, Smith said, “I don’t make predictions,” but added, “Competition breeds excellence. I’ve said that numerous times.”

Currently, the raises will apply only to those getting the most votes in November, meaning incumbents must win re-election to receive the higher pay.

The increases also come shortly after the county’s executive director, Melissa Seamans, received a raise from $103,000 to $130,000, bringing that position closer in line with municipal administrators such as Conway Town Manager John Eastman, who earns $145,149.

Even so, the county salaries — particularly for the register of deeds — now exceed or approach comparable municipal roles and outpace current pay in all counties.

In 2026, the highest paid register of deeds was in Rockingham County and the pay stands at $98,504, according to a wage comparison found on the New Hampshire Association of Counties website, tinyurl.com/4xd26r88.

Rockingham Delegation Coordinator Cheryl Hurley told the Sun Tuesday that the Rockingham County is set to vote on the salaries May 20 at 6 p.m.

Candidate for Carroll County Sheriff, Justin Worthley said on Facebook: “Just saw an article in the Conway Sun that county positions are getting drastic pay increases.

“If elected sheriff, I will ensure that the rank and file will be paid properly even if I have to redistribute some of my salary to do so,” Worthley said.

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