County officials push for salary parity in heated meeting

In a recent government meeting, county officials discussed salary adjustments for elected officials, emphasizing the importance of maintaining parity among positions. A countywide elected official, who has served since 2003, formally requested a salary increase to align with the highest-paid commissioner, proposing a 5% raise above the already approved budget. The official highlighted that historically, salaries for commissioners and other countywide elected officials, including the treasurer and tax assessor, have been equal, with only one deviation occurring due to a previous grievance.

The meeting also addressed the salary of Constable Parnell Haynes, with a proposal to adjust his pay to match that of his peers, set at $59,109. The sheriff supported this adjustment, advocating for uniform salaries across the constable positions, regardless of the number of employees managed. The committee agreed to consider Haynes' grievance and voted in favor of the proposed salary adjustments, with unanimous support from the members present.

Additionally, the tax assessor-elector echoed the call for salary parity, requesting an increase to match the highest-paid commissioner, which is currently set at $94,757. The discussions reflect a broader commitment among county officials to ensure equitable compensation for all elected positions, reinforcing the principle of salary parity within the county's governance structure.