During board reports at the Sept. 10 meeting, Commissioner Delaney expressed strong concerns about the county manager contract and recent pay practices, and asked for greater transparency and restraints on executive compensation.

What Delaney said: Commissioner Delaney said she was uncomfortable that the incoming county manager would receive the same base salary as the previous manager, despite having less experience, and that a 4% across-the-board cost-of-living adjustment would effectively add approximately $11,000 to the manager's pay immediately after the contract takes effect. She also criticized the lack of a fixed term and the absence of an annual-evaluation requirement in the contract, and said the car-allowance language specifies "65% of a new vehicle" without a dollar cap or vehicle-price definition.

Responses and context: Commissioner Altman said she prefers continuous feedback rather than a formal annual review and defended the contract and the board's approach to performance management. Commissioner Goodson made broader remarks about market-based pay for leaders. No board action or vote on the manager's contract was taken during the board-report portion of the meeting.

Why it matters: Compensation and oversight terms for senior county executives affect public perception of fiscal stewardship and long-term compensation growth; Commissioner Delaney framed the concern in the budget context as the board considers increased millages and the county's overall spending.

Ending: Commissioners aired differing views but took no further action at the meeting; Delaney said she remained uncomfortable with certain contract provisions and intended to continue raising the issue.