Voting Against a Pay Raise
Posted 05-09-1996
One of the most difficult, awkward experiences in public sector management is for elected
officials to vote for pay raises. Our county just went through such an experience. While
there are arguments on each side of the issue, the practical, political exercise is one
that most elected officials would rather avoid.
I voted no because I did not feel I
deserved a fifteen percent pay raise just three months into office. I did indeed know what
the salary was and didn't expect it to increase a few months after I started working for
the county. However, I really didn't feel my colleagues or the row officers who have
served for a number of years didn't deserve some type of adjustment in their salaries. No
one had received a raise since 1991 and if a person's income doesn't at least keep pace
with inflation, that person is essentially taking a pay cut.
The whole process of elected officials
voting to increase their own salaries often angers the public. But there is really no
other solution, other than salaries never increasing. We have done that in our country
with the presidency and his annual income of $200,000 that might have been significant
sixty or seventy years ago when it was set, is now not significant when compared to
corporate leaders, athletes, and entertainers who now make millions annually. Does anyone
believe that the President's salary accurately reflects his responsibilities in comparison
to the CEO of Heinz who makes $58 million a year?
Getting back to the county, there is one
important aspect of the pay raise issue that I see as good public policy. An annual cost
of living increase was approved that will tie future raises to the Consumer Price Index
for the northeast region of the country. It will simply allow the salaries to keep pace
with inflation, something I believe would meet with approval from most of the electorate.
So the unpleasant issue of elected officials raising their own salaries should not arise
again.
We must keep salaries somewhat within
reason when compared to the private sector. We are indeed public servants, but if we want
to attract qualified professionals to run this $170 million business, we must accept that
salaries will increase modestly. Our senior executives are paid near the top of the range
when compared to other third class counties, yet before this increase, our elected
officials were near the bottom. With the adjustment we are now around the middle of the
pack. However, there are still more than twenty county employees who earn more than the
Commissioners.
As for my own raise, I will take the
increase in my take home pay and create a new bank account. At the end of the year, I will
donate the increase to various charities. This action is what I believe is equitable and
consistent with my belief that I have been blessed with the honor of serving the citizens
of Westmoreland County. I have the wonderful opportunity to contribute to shaping our
county's future into the next century. |
