TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Hamilton: 'Set a Good Example'

ADVERTISEMENT

Michael D. Bates

Published: February 6, 2008

Newly hired county administrator David

Hamilton, who said his first priority is turning in a

balanced budget by July, has made the first move toward

that goal by trying to hold down expenses.

He is willing to forego the 5 percent raise county

commissioners were scheduled to give him after six

months on the job, saving the county $6,750.

Instead, he will accept his starting salary of $135,000

and take whatever raise rank-and-file employees receive

during budget talks.

Hamilton said it's just not good timing, given the

economic climate in Hernando County. Usually, such

automatic salary adjustments are normal, he said.

"However, we're not in normal times," Hamilton said.

"The economy is clearly on the minds of the

commissioners."

Commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve Hamilton's

contract, despite Commissioner Rose Rocco and some

audience members concerns' that the salary was too

high.

Rocco said she wanted to see Hamilton prove himself on

the job before the county automatically grants him a

built-in pay hike.

"I'd rather be treated on an equal footing with the

rest of the employees," Hamilton said Wednesday.

Hamilton, speaking from Minnesota where he is wrapping

up his duties as county administrator, said he

understands the economic pain and — given his position

of leadership — wants to set a good example.

"It also ties in with some of my own beliefs that

government cannot live in isolation of the community

that it serves," Hamilton said. "Clearly, the community

is feeling economic pain. I understand that pain."

Hamilton said he will also ask his Crow Wing County

board at its Tuesday meeting to waive the 60-day

resignation clause in his employment agreement, which

would allow him to start his duties March 17 in

Hernando County.

Otherwise, the earliest he would start is around March

31.

Hamilton said he has already talked with Interim County

Administrator Larry Jennings about the budget and is

anxious to meet with Budget Director George Zoettlein

to explore cost-cutting options.

"The budget is always a priority," Hamilton said.

"Given the times we're in, following the passage of

Amendment 1, it is the priority," he said.

Zoettlein estimates the county will lose about $9.1

million from the loss of property tax revenue from the

constitutional amendment.

Hamilton's willingness to forego the automatic raise

scored points with one community leader.

"I think that sets the right tone for department heads

in the county to look at their budgets and say, 'Now

what can we do to help the county during this economic

downturn," said Dudley Hampton, president of the

Hernando Builders Association.

Hampton believes the county did its due diligence in

drafting Hamilton's contract.

"The county did exactly the same thing that a business

would do," he said. "They looked at what comparable

salaries are in the same position in the same area, in

this case Florida and surrounding counties.

"$135,000 is a good salary obviously, but I think their

methodology at arriving at that figure is correct."

Hampton hopes Hamilton will stay in the position long

enough to affect positive change in Hernando County.

The last two administrators, citing negativity in the

community, resigned less than two years into the job.

"I think it would be very nice if we would have some

continuity in that position (and) I think the county

could get a lot accomplished," he said.

However, civic activist Nick Morana disagrees with the

methodology used to negotiate Hamilton's salary.

"I don't go for this, 'We checked the surrounding

(area),'" Morana said. "Uh, uh. It's what the man

brings to the job and the duties of the job itself.

That's what we call a salary and wage analysis.

"(The salary) is much too high, the benefits are very,

very overly generous," he added. "I don't think he

would have balked if the salary were lower and the

perks weren't that good. I think he would have taken

the job."

County Commissioner David Russell was on the losing

side of a 3-2 vote to hire Hamilton. Rocco cast the

other nay vote.

But both said they support the majority board decision

and hope Hamilton proves his worth.

Russell called Hamilton's employment and salary package

a "good faith contract" based on the parameters set

forth by the job advertisement.

"I think (the salary) is way too high," said Linda

Hayward, chairwoman of the Hernando County Taxpayers

Alliance. "They are comparing salaries with other

counties, when it's been mandated by the voters across

the state that they are unhappy with management

salaries in general."

Management salaries are already too high and by

continuing to follow the same methodology, the salaries

continue to get bigger, she said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at

352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

ADMINISTRATOR SALARIES IN OTHER COUNTIES

Here is a list of counties Hernando County used in

determining the salary for new county administrator,

David Hamilton. Included are the current population

estimates for each county and the administrators'

2007-08 salary, including Hernando County. (It does not

include the cost of benefits.):

Alachua County, population 227,000 — $169,686.

Bay County, population 163,000 — $135,769.

Charlotte County, population 154,000 — $176,404.

Citrus County, population 138,000 — $124,659.

Hernando County, population 165,464 — $135,000.

Lake County, population 290,000 — $157,000.

Marion County, population 315,000 — $155,355.

Martin County, population 139,000 — $147,250.

Okaloosa County, population 180,000 — $144,497.

Osceola County, population 244,000 — $175,100.

Pasco County, population 450,000 — $180,729.

Polk County, population 560,000 — $179,000.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT