Commentary - Pay Study demolishes Commission Talking Points

Commentary - Pay Study demolishes Commission Talking Points

Author: Wyatt Cox February 11, 2026 Duration: 1:00
Pay no attention to the man or men behind the curtain.  The four remaining County Commissioners were elected with an agenda.  To demolish local government and cut local taxes to nearly nothing.  To that end, they commissioned a study on pay rates, thinking employees were overpaid and underworked.

Guess what?  

According to the copy of the study that KELY Radio obtained, White Pine County employees are being paid well below market rates. The independent review found county wages average about seven percent below comparable public employers across Nevada, with some departments falling much further behind. Human Resources pay was more than 30 percent below market, while Emergency Management and Fire Protection were each nearly 20 percent under market rates.

Since the study came in, the county fired the Finance Director and bullied her deputy out of office.  The Commission just got a 35% pay increase and all elected officials got a 2% raise.  But not a dime for rank and file employees.  No doubt, the Good Old Boys want government without people.  Be careful what you wish for, commissioners.  You could be next. 

The study is available by clicking here.  


Tune in to KELY 1230AM/98.5 FM News and Commentary, where host Wyatt Cox brings the distinct perspective of rural Nevada directly to your ears. This isn't a repackaged national feed; it's the original broadcasts from the station's airwaves in Ely, offering a grounded take on events that matter to the community and beyond. You'll hear straightforward local reporting blended with Wyatt's own analysis, creating a conversation that feels both immediate and considered. While the signal travels across the high desert on 1230 AM and 98.5 FM, this podcast makes that same content portable and personal, available whenever you need a clear-eyed update. It captures the texture of local radio-the urgency of breaking news alongside thoughtful commentary-without requiring you to be within range of the tower. For anyone interested in how broader stories resonate in a specific place, or for those who simply miss the feel of authentic local broadcasting, this series provides a consistent and reliable source. It’s the sound of a particular corner of the American West, discussing its present and future. Each episode delivers the complete segment as it was heard by terrestrial listeners, preserving the flow and spontaneity that makes radio unique. Follow along with Wyatt Cox for daily insights that are rooted in place yet relevant far beyond the county line.
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