(KLZA)--Pawnee County Sheriff Braden Lang has filed a lawsuit against the County Commissioners, alleging violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act during meetings held December 23rd, 2025, and January 6th, 2026.

In the filing, The Pawnee Republican reports Lang claims proper notice was not given for those meetings and is asking the court to void a resolution that sets elected officials’ salaries for the years 2027 through 2030.

The sheriff also argues the salary decision was made outside of its scheduled agenda time and breaks from established county practices. He points to pay increases for deputies approved in 2023, saying those raises have resulted in some deputies now earning more than the sheriff, with the chief deputy making 107 percent of his salary.

Under the current plan approved by commissioners, the sheriff’s salary would be set at just under 70 thousand dollars in 2027, increasing by three percent annually to more than 76 thousand dollars by 2030.

Lang is asking the board to reconsider the decision or revisit it through what he calls a proper and transparent process.

County commissioners now have 30 days to respond to the lawsuit.

Lang has been with the sheriff’s office since 2009 and has served as sheriff since 2019.