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Hernando Today

Kingsley: Coller's Gas Allowance Nixed

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: August 29, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - It looks as if County Attorney Garth Coller will no longer get his $300 monthly gas allowance.

Coller's contract is up for renewal and that perk will be history, County Commissioner Chris Kingsley said Thursday.

"You can pretty much bank on that being gone," said Kingsley, who has openly questioned the need for a county attorney to merit a driving allowance.

And Coller said he has no problem, given the tight budgetary times, in forgoing the monthly car (gas) allowance.

"I've already told the board I have no problem cutting out the car allowance," Coller said. "All I want is a fair, negotiated contract."

Coller said he will do what other government employees do when he must travel and ask for mileage reimbursement.

Kingsley, whose job it is as chairman to negotiate the contract, would not reveal any preliminary contract details. He hopes to have a finished draft in the next two weeks to present to county commissioners.

"I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised when I'm done," Kingsley said.

While he is not directly involved with the contract negotiations, County Administrator David Hamilton said he is suggesting that Coller forego any salary raise this year.

Currently, Coller's total compensation package is $174,894, according to the Human Resources Department.

His base salary is $132,828. The county contributes $6,641 to his retirement plan. He gets $13,797 per year in health insurance for himself and his family. Hernando County gives Coller $17,427 per year that allows him to keep participating in the state retirement plan. He also gets a $600 cell phone stipend.

The monthly gas allowance comes to $3,600 annually.

Coller's first contract was signed January 2000 and he started working for Hernando County March 1, 2000, according to county records.

That first contract was a two-year contract and he did not receive a gas allowance. Coller only received mileage reimbursement.

Coller entered into a second contract from February 2002 to January 2005 and commissioners added the $300 gas allowance as part of his employment package. He was also provided mileage reimbursement if he traveled out of the county.

Under his third contract, which became effective Feb. 1, 2005, and expires Jan. 31, 2009, Coller continues to get the $300 allowance but commissioners took away the additional mileage reimbursement.

In October 2007, following a story in Hernando Today, Coller's gas allowance became an issue, with Kingsley expressing his displeasure.

"I am giving you notice that I would like to review the auto allowance provision (of) your employment contract," Kingsley wrote in an Oct. 26 memo to Coller.

"It's an unnecessary expense," Kingsley said of Coller's gas allowance. "The amount of traveling he does is incredibly small compared to the county administrator or even county commissioners, and we get no allowance.

"In today's world, ($300 per month) seems a little unnecessary, as his salary has also climbed significantly since he started," Kingsley added.

But commissioners in November 2007, agreed to keep Coller's current contract - gas allowance included - intact until it expires.

Coller said he drives to various sites in the county as they relate to land use issues. He said he also attends seminars and training sessions.

The only other county government employee to receive a monthly gas allowance is Office of Business Development Director Mike McHugh.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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