LOGAN - Heeding the pleas of hundreds of employees in recent weeks, the Cache County Council has unanimously approved its 2006 budget - including a 5 percent pay hike. A motion to raise the salary of Cache County Sheriff Lynn Nelson, from $57,800 to $70,000, and the salary of County Executive Lynn Lemon, from $75,700 to $80,000, was defeated 4-to-3. Cache County Attorney George Daines earns the highest salary in the county at $87,200, according to the new budget. These top employees received the same 5 percent pay increase as other county employees. Lemon says the raises will be allocated to workers based on performance and market value as determined by department heads with the approval of the county human resources director and the county executive. Council Council members also received a pay-equity adjustment under the new budget, bringing their salaries from approximately $4,000 to $6,000 annually, Lemon said, pointing out that they remain Utah's lowest paid council. - Arrin Newton Brunson