What You Get for $2,672,075.10 …

Commentary by Gloria Way

  Well, well … it is that time of year, again, when Chambers County officials inform the taxpaying public how much money they feel they are worth regardless of what you, the taxpayer may think they are worth. They are giving themselves raises again. Now remember, there were no public budget hearings this summer so you, the people, could not comment on the behind closed doors negotiations going on with your taxpayer dollars. The lack of transparency is glaringly apparent when you see the increases in salaries of several of our elected officials, and it is shameful.

  A question that must be asked is, why do they feel they deserve such dramatic increases? And, a question we the people, need to ask is, are county services going to be improved 15%, 30% … with us paying more for what? Are taxpayers going to get 15% better “customer service”? Are taxpayers’ phone calls going to be answered 15% faster than last year? Are roads and bridges going to be repaired/constructed 15% faster than last year? Will our vehicle registrations and boat registrations be handled 15% quicker than last year? Will the productivity rate of all departments in Chambers County increase by 15%?

  I am only assuming that because the certified tax value of Chambers County has increased approximately $2 billion, from $15 billion to $17 billion, the county and its budget committee, which is headed by County Judge Jimmy Sylvia, feel that salary increases for its elected officials is warranted. It is as if there is an underlying sense that, “hey, taxes aren’t going up so we can get away with our salaries going up”.  I was told by the auditor’s office that all county employees, including all elected officials, will be receiving a $2,500 across the board raise as well.

  If you are a county employee making $50,000/year, a $2,500 increase will be a 5% increase. If you are a county employee and make $60,000/year, a $2,500 increase will be 4.2% increase, and if you are a county employee and make $40,00/year, a $2,500 increase will be 6.25%. So why do elected officials feel that they deserve $15,000/year to $30,000/year raises?

  I commend Commissioner Pct 4 Ryan Dagley for his letter to the editor clarifying various drainage projects in Chambers County. I believe that taxpayers deserve to hear from any elected official as to why they (all elected officials) deserve such outrageous salary increases? The Seabreeze Beacon will print the response in its entirety to make their case. I will respond in kind.    

    Serving the people of Chambers County is a service, an honorable occupation. It is not an apparatus for people to enhance their position in life because the “money is there”. Compared to other counties of similar population, Chambers County elected officials and department heads are very well paid. At the least, to all elected officials, don’t accept the across the board $2,500 raise for all county employees. Enough is enough.