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Hernando Today

County Bosses Asked To Give Up $100 Of Salary

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: March 3, 2009

Updated:

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE If county commissioners were serious about exploring cost-saving ideas for taxpayers, they should put their money where their mouth is, according to resident and government watchdog Michael Burmann.

Burmann, at Tuesday's debut meeting of the budget and finance standing committee, recommended the five county commissioners set aside $100 a month of their salary and put it in a fund to be used as a bonus for anyone who comes up with a creative way for the county to save money during these hard economic times.

Burmann said the perception is county commissioners are already overpaid at $60,000 for what amounts to a part-time job.

Burmann's idea fell flat, however, and got no support from the five-member committee.

Commissioner and Committee Chairwoman Rose Rocco said she already donates to various organizations that probably totals well in excess of $100 per month.

Rocco also took issue with Burmann's statement that commissioners only work part time.

If someone were to look at her schedule, they would see she puts in far more than what normally would be deemed part-time work, she said.

And if any commissioner is using his or her job as a part-time position, "you don't belong up here as a county commissioner," she said.

Committee member Anna Liisa Covell said commissioners' salaries are set by the state Legislature and is not debatable at the local level.

Hernando County's five county commissioners make $60,573 per year, up 1.7 percent from the previous year. Including benefits, commissioners make $70,585 per year.

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

County commissioners' jobs are technically considered part-time. And while they don't have any say about their raises, they do have a choice about whether to accept any or part of it.

The debate came during a presentation by Budget Director George Zoettlein who updated committee members — which include Rocco, Covell, County Commissioner Jeff Stabins, and citizens John Scharch Sr. and Greg Meyers — about the state of county finances.

Zoettlein said Hernando County is projecting a $13 million shortfall in revenue for fiscal year 2010, compared to the approved 2009 fiscal year budget.

Ad valorem taxes are expected to be $51.2 million for 2010, down $3.3 million from 2009.

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

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