Hamilton: No Pay Hikes For Managers

County Administrator David Hamilton is due to get his six-month evaluation from county commissioners this month.

But even if that evaluation is positive, Hamilton is making one request: No raise this year.

The times are too tough and he doesn't believe now is the time to ask for more money.

"I am much more comfortable being given the privilege of serving the county board," said Hamilton, who makes $177,805 in salary and benefits.

And he is also recommending his top-level administrators forego their raises this year.

On Friday, Hamilton issued a memo to all senior managers that reiterates a proposal first outlined in Hernando Today last week: No raises for employees who make $65,000 or more a year.

Hamilton said there are 41 positions under the board of county commissioners who make $65,000 or more.

Employees under that threshold are being recommended for a 2 percent raise. That would affect 669 government employees, excluding county and Spring Hill firefighters, who are on union contracts.

He will bring the proposals before county commissioners at their Sept. 16 meeting.

In addition, Hamilton's new pay grid system will recommend that future salary raises be based on employee performance.

He is not in favor of the current across-the-board pay raise system, especially for managers.

Hamilton said he believes leadership begins at the top and forgoing raises to the highest levels of government shows restraint.

The 2 percent hike shows a "modest adjustment" to those who make under $65,000, he said.

Should county commissioners agree to the proposal, it would reduce the board of county commissioners' budgets by $72,086, according to Hamilton.

Hamilton is also requesting the constitutional officers consider a similar salary adjustment plan. If they buy in to the concept, the county is looking at saving $98,523 overall, he said.