The county board will have its last meeting of 2002 Monday, at which a request for a pay increase by County Attorney Craig Nelson will be discussed.

Being discontent with the board’s decision to raise his 2003 salary by 3 percent from $69,964.71 this year to $72,063.65, Nelson filed a lawsuit against the county.

Nelson asserts his salary level is too low in comparison to other counties of equivalent size and says the amount of work he puts in for the county is deserving of more. According to County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen, Nelson specifically demands $80,000.

Bob Goldman, Nelson’s attorney, will answer questions from the commissioners at the meeting. If Nelson and the Board do not reach an agreement, the issue will be ruled on by the court. County District Court Judge John Chesterman and James Broberg have already removed themselves from the case.