Mason County, the comment below is so important that it would be a shame to leave it buried in the previous blog posting (Did They or Didn't They?). Some readers might miss it. So as not to risk this occurring, below is a very clear explanation. Thanks to Monty for taking the time to explain this in language that we can understand.
Brenda,
The State Constitution Art XI, Sec 8 precludes increases (EXCEPT as authorized in Art XXX Sec 1) or decreases in county official's salaries during their term of office or after their election.
Art XXX, Sec 1 allows for mid-term increases in salaries of county officials IF THEY DO NOT FIX THEIR OWN COMPENSATION--which excludes county commissioners since they set their compensation.
In the case of officials who set their own salary, these two provisions have been consistently interpreted to say that if the increase is established prior to the term starting, that is constitutionally acceptable. So, I think it was Res 85-01 which set a regular 3% annual increase for the commissioners. (I'm not 100% sure of the Res. numbers since I don't have the documents here at home--I know you find that surprising!)
There was another salary adjustment made by resolution which is visible in the salary change 2004-2005 which would have been at the turn of office terms for Districts 1 and 2. This resulted in all three positions being paid the same until 2009. Prior to the start of the 2009-2012 term, the BOCC suspended the 3% increase authorized in Res. 85-01 for Districts 1 and 2--the two positions starting a new term. The BOCC could not suspend the 3% increase for District 3 because that position was mid-term (1/2007-12/2010)
So this year, with District 3 at the change of terms, the BOCC rebalanced the salaries by a one year suspending of the 3% annual increase authorized in Res 85-01 for District 3 only.
In a much shorter explanation: District 1 and 2 did not GIVE themselves a raise this year BUT they GOT a 3% raise because of Res 85-01. On the other hand, the BOCC could not have prevented District 1 and 2 from getting the 3% because of Res 85-01 and ART XI sec 8 because it would have reduced a predetermined salary.
and you are correct: at the 3% a year clip, the 2020 salary will be about $102,250.
For District 3 Ross Gallagher who's up for reelection, let's be sure to ask him what he's done to change Resolution 85-01. For Lynda and Tim let's shame them everywhere we see them - grocery store, restaurant, Democratic party functions (yes, they both are), Post Office, etc..... You get my drift? Shame on you, Tim and Lynda. Ross, you need to do some real quick work to make us believe that you work for us.
Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Deputies have not had a pay raise or a contract in 41 months while the commissioners have been "forced" to see their salaries increase. Mason County, are you as outraged as I am?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
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It strikes me as real curious that our commissioners have been and will continue to get pay raises every year and yet can't give our deputy sheriffs any raise at all or even settle their's or other bargaining unit contracts. Further they are cutting services and watching their constituents lose their jobs and people suffer all around them and yet their income grows. They say they can't do anything about it. They just won't do anything. Well I say we can do something about and it is time to vote them all off the island!!! I expect if Sheldon is this disingenuous as a county commissioner he isn't any better as a state senator and it is time he is kicked out of that job too. We have an opportunity to send him packing in this election cycle.
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i understand that county commissioners Dist. 1 & Dist. 2 cannot do anything about the mandatory 3% raise due to res. 85-01, but there was a wonderful suggestion to the county commissioners a couple weeks back at a bocc meeting; "give back the 3% to the county"! heck, i think they should all give 10% or more of their salary back to the county! maybe we can also ask them to fill out a timesheet or have them clock in and out for record keeping of the hours they actually work??
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