Budget Pumps Pay Perks For Commissioners
Under the county manager’s proposed budget of largesse, commissioners stand ready to receive a nearly 70 percent increase for their so-called allowances. Overall, the board’s total allotment would increase to $418,715, a 12 percent jump from the current $372,629.
Part and parcel of the perk pump, each commissioner would receive $7,200 for a nebulously titled “expense allowance,” an increase of $2,880 per commissioner. Chairman Jennifer Roberts would get a $3,120 bump, pocketing a cool $7,800. Total recommended expense allowance for the board: $65,400. Ka-ching.
But wait, there’s more. Individual travel allowances for commissioners and the chairman would increase by nearly $2,000, rolling in at $5,488 each. Total recommended travel allowance for the board: $49,392. Cleared for takeoff.
And that’s all in addition to the $22,370 annual salary for commissioners ($27,962 for the chairman).
Yes, in the big scheme of a billion-dollar-plus budget, an extra $50K in perks for board members amounts to a hill of beans. But if commissioners are really, truly, honestly looking for line items to trim from the county manager’s budget, this seems a no-brainer that should be able to garner bi-partisan support.
Or do commissioners and their chairman think it’s altogether appropriate for them to rake in an extra $50K in travel and expense allowances, when thousands of their constituents are struggling just to find a job, and in a majority of cases are staring down the barrel of a looming tax hike.
We need your help! If you like PunditHouse, please consider donating to us. Even $5 a month can make a difference!
Short URL: https://pundithouse.com/?p=6332
