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After heated debate, Lee County board approves amended pay plan for clerk/recorder/treasurer
Summary
Following extended debate about timing, fairness and recruitment, the board approved an amended compensation package for the county clerk/recorder/treasurer: a 5% initial increase to $76,650, then annual increases of 3% or CPI (whichever is less) with a floor of zero. The amendment passed on a roll-call vote.
The Lee County Board approved an amended compensation package for the county clerk/recorder/treasurer after lengthy discussion and a roll-call vote.
The original resolution proposing a larger raise prompted debate about whether changing compensation during an election cycle was appropriate. Opponents argued the timing and scale were problematic; supporters said higher pay helps attract qualified candidates.
Mr. Kitson proposed and moved an amendment to change the package to a 5% pay increase (bringing the first-year salary to $76,650) with subsequent annual increases of 3% or the Consumer Price Index (whichever is less), with a floor of zero for the next three years. The amendment was seconded and, after discussion, passed in a roll-call vote recorded in the transcript.
During debate, several members expressed concerns about process and optics. Mr. Kitson said, "The proposed raise of nearly 15% I believe sends the wrong message to the rest of the employees in the county. It definitely sends the wrong message to our taxpayers who we represent." Mr. Anderson cautioned against changing compensation "in the middle of the game" during an election cycle, saying candidates had filed under previous expectations. Other members argued the pay increase could help recruit qualified administrators and professionals to an elected role.
The roll-call recorded in the transcript shows a majority voting in favor of the amendment; the chair declared the motion passed and the compensation package will be implemented per the amended terms. The board then proceeded to other agenda items.
