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Wayne Select Board questions budgeted pay for combined treasurer and tax collector role
Summary
Board members raised concerns that the budgeted compensation for a combined treasurer and tax collector position may be too low to recruit a qualified candidate; the motion to approve the related warrant article was withdrawn for further review and possible joint meetings with the budget committee.
During the May 27 Select Board meeting, members debated Article 8 of the annual town warrant, which would fund a combined treasurer and tax collector position. Several board members said the current budgeted amounts would not attract a competent candidate for a combined role and withdrew a motion to approve the article to allow additional review.
The discussion focused on the numbers in the draft warrant. A board member said the proposed stipend for the treasurer portion was $4,000 while the combined treasurer and tax collector line totaled $39,148. He said that "I don't believe you can find a competent person to do those two jobs and provide the information that we need for proper governance for that amount of money." Shannon, a town staff member, told the board she had surveyed comparable towns and found wages for combined treasurers and tax collectors typically closer to $30 to $35 per hour; the draft budget reflected $23.53 per hour for the combined role.
Board members discussed options: increase the stipend and other payroll lines; convene a special joint meeting with the budget committee to reconcile changes; or leave the advertised salary as is and continue interviewing. One board member said guidance from the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) indicates some movement of funds within budget "boxes" is allowed but that changes exceeding certain categories would require a town vote.
No final change to the warrant was approved May 27. The motion to approve Article 8 was withdrawn so the board and budget committee can consider adjustments, and staff was asked to provide clearer cost and hours estimates and, if necessary, schedule a special meeting to resolve the compensation question before the warrant is posted.
