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Hernando Today

Russell Salary Plan Under Construction

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: July 31, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Government workers won't find out for sure until September how much more money they will receive in their paychecks.

That's when county commissioners hold two public hearings to finalize the 2009 budget.

But under a plan proposed by County Commissioner David Russell, how much employees end up getting may be determined by their present salaries.

Russell said he and County Administrator David Hamilton are working on details of a plan that should be ready in two or three weeks and which he will present to the full commission board at their first budget public hearing Sept. 11.

The plan, first reported in Hernando Today earlier this month, would establish a 2 percent raise for government workers at certain income thresholds. He and Hamilton are hashing out those thresholds right now, Russell said.

"We are establishing a salary threshold that is fair and equitable," Russell said Wednesday.

Two weeks ago, Russell said that threshold could be around $35,000 annually.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Jeff Stabins said he is advocating a $700-across-the-board raise for all full-time employees. For workers on the low end of the pay scale, that $700 represents a significant amount, he said.

For higher-paid managers, "at least it's something," Stabins said.

Last year, county commissioners approved a 3 percent across-the-board salary hike for government employees, a move that did not resonate well with the majority of citizens who called for freezes for upper-management employees.

At that time, Commissioner Rose Rocco proposed a salary freeze for workers making more than $35,000. Her plan was shot down.

Russell said he will also recommend at the September public hearing top level administrators and department managers forego salary increases this year to help government deal with a leaner budget.

For his part, Russell reiterated plans to give his state-imposed salary raise this year back to the county.

He said he plans to write a check to the beleaguered Animal Services Department, which recently was forced to close its doors Saturdays to save money.

County commissioners last year got a 1.96 percent raise, which hiked their salaries from $58,408 to $59,552.

The state sets the rates for commissioners and constitutional officers. The salaries differ from county to county, depending on population and size of jurisdiction.

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

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