County Bosses Get $1,021 Raise

Hernando County's five county commissioners are getting a $1,021 pay raise.

Sheriff Richard Nugent and the other Constitutional officers are also getting salary hikes.

The new salaries were recently released by the state, which sets rates for county commissioners and Constitutional officers. The salaries differ from county to county, depending on population and size of jurisdiction.

Commissioners Chris Kingsley, Diane Rowden, Jeff Stabins, Rose Rocco and Dave Russell will make $60,573 a year, up 1.7 percent increase from last year.

Factor in the 16.53 percent that the county pays toward their state retirement, and commissioners' will make $70,585 annually, according to the county's Human Resources Department.

In addition, the commission chairman, Kingsley, gets $50-per-pay-period (every two weeks) for use of his personal cell phone and/or car allowance.

Other commissioners get a $25 allowance for personal cell phone usage.

Commissioners also get part of their health benefits paid for by the county. The cost varies depending on the plan each commissioner selects.

Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams' salary increased to $101,440, up $642 from last year.

Circuit Court Clerk Karen Nicolai, Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek and Tax Collector Juanita Sikes all got $688 raises, bringing their annual salaries to $119,449. Sheriff Richard Nugent will be making $128,045 this year, a $698 raise.

While county commissioners don't have any choice but to accept these state raises, they have typically donated the money to certain causes.

Last year, Rowden said she spent over and above her 1.96-percent raise and spent about $1,400 on blankets for needy seniors at the Enrichment Center.

This year, Rowden said she will continue to contribute blankets or give to the "Love Your Neighbor" nonprofit program, which distributes food and clothing to the needy.

And Kingsley said he again plans to give to local charities, which will probably amount to more than the raise.

Russell said he will write a $1,000 check to the nonprofit 100-Acre Wood Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc., which cares for injured and orphaned animals.

He had planned to give it to animal services, but thanks to a large donation from a private individual, that agency's funding problems were allayed.

Stabins said he will continue to give his raise to charitable causes. This year, he is considering the Spring Hill Rotary Club, which is raising money to build a dog park.

Rocco said she gives to charities and organizations throughout the year and really hasn't earmarked any of her $1,021 raise for any certain one.

She said she also needs it to help pay back legal fees she spent in her long battle to retain her commission seat following a challenge from her opponent.