LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County legislators will meet today to complete the process of setting raises for departments heads, with most getting a 3 percent increase.

A series of public hearings will begin at 3 p. m., with public comments accepted for each proposed salary for those who oversee the county’s departments.

Earlier this month, legislators set several other salaries, again most based on 3 percent pay hikes.

A process was upgraded in April to establish a “position value system” for salary increases also based on a performance system.

The guide directs the Labor Relations and Finance committees to propose the annual salaries. An evaluation by the county administrator is included and may also be used for future appointments or reappointments for department heads.

Human Resources Director David Moshier also takes a part in the process by comparing salaries to those of other counties of similar size and operations.

Legislative Chairwoman Crystal J. Abers, R-South Dayton, said salaries paid in other counties “played a big part” in setting raises.

Abers said department heads were told of their pending raises and given an opportunity to comment.

“Most said the process was fair,” she said. And anyone who did not may have their raises given another look for next year.

Salaries approved earlier this month include recently appointed Public Health Director Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, $89,000. He will begin his duties next week.

Others also set include: Veterans Agency Director John Sampson, $47,664, up from $45,284; Probation Director Gerald Zimmerman, $66,841, up from $64,627; and Youth Bureau Director Dr. Anthony Evans, $51,883, up from $49,453.

All proposed salaries are retroactive to Jan. 1. A list of departments voted on today follows, with the new salary followed by the current salary set last year.

County Attorney Dennis V. Tobolski, $105,553, up from $103,727; County Administrator Jack Searles, $87,190, $83,814; Community Services Director Dawn Miller, $68,044, $65,000; election commissioners Sue Fries and Kevin Burleson, each $49,927, each $48,470; Human Resources Director David Moshier, $72,991, $69,871; Information Services Director Peter Wallen, $75,042, $72,828; Public Defender Mark S. Williams, $87,949, $87,534; Public Works Commissioner David Rivet, $78,963, $78,410; Property Tax Director Nancy Barney, $57,242, $54,862; Social Services Director Wendy Bourgeois, $86,998, $85,172; County Treasurer Joseph G. Keller, $65,714, $63,800; County Clerk James K. Griffith, $65,815, $63,898.

The hearings are open to the public.