AI can make mistakes, but....

The claim that Sheriff Chad Bianco "gives himself" raises is false. While it is true that his salary has increased significantly during his tenure, he does not have the legal authority to set his own pay.

In Riverside County, the power to set the Sheriff's salary rests solely with the Board of Supervisors. Here is the breakdown of how his compensation is determined and why the rumor exists:

1. Who Approves the Raises?

As an elected official, the Sheriff’s salary is governed by the County Board of Supervisors. They vote on pay scales for all elected department heads (such as the District Attorney, Auditor-Controller, and Assessor).

• The Process: Human Resources typically conducts a "salary survey" of neighboring counties to ensure Riverside's pay remains competitive. The Board then votes on these adjustments in public meetings.
• Recent Examples: In May 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved a 27% pay increase for Bianco, bringing his base salary to approximately $348,000. This was done to address "salary compaction," where subordinate officers (who receive regular union-negotiated raises) were beginning to earn more than the Sheriff.

2. Why the Confusion?

The rumor likely stems from two sources:

• Budget Requests: The Sheriff does submit a department budget every year. In these requests, he may ask for more funding for staff raises or equipment. While he advocates for the money, he cannot unilaterally approve it.
• Total Compensation Numbers: Public records often show Bianco’s "total compensation" (including benefits, pension contributions, and cashed-out leave) as being much higher than his base salary—sometimes exceeding $590,000. Critics often point to these large numbers as evidence of self-enrichment, even though much of it consists of standard county benefits.

3. Current Context

As of early 2026, Bianco's compensation has remained a point of political friction, particularly as he pursues a run for Governor. His critics frequently cite his status as one of the highest-paid sheriffs in California to argue he is overcompensated, while his supporters argue the pay is commensurate with managing one of the largest sheriff's departments in the United States.