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MARIETTA – For elected officials from townships up to the state level, a maximum 3 percent pay raise could be in the future if an agreement can be reached between the Ohio House and Senate.
House Bill 661, sponsored by Rep. Gerald Stebelton, R-Lancaster, and introduced last week, would give cost-of-living increases to township trustees and fiscal officers, county commissioners, sheriffs, judges and state representatives. The raises would happen annually, without voting from the legislature after initial approval.
Some officials have gone six and seven years without pay increases, but Asa Boring, Belpre Township trustee of nearly 30 years, said for the townships in Washington County, it’s been much longer.
The legislature has not voted on raises for townships for many years. In the past, after the state has approved the increase, it is generally up to the townships whether to budget the money, according to Commission Clerk Rick Peoples. He said townships can use existing resources, put on a levy or even use some money that may come from the county to compensate for that increase.
Boring said while conducting township business in the township, it would be nice to get reimbursement for what trustees spend while conducting that business.
“I think the last time townships got a raise was in 1989,” he said. “There (is something) I believe makes it necessary to have (the pay increase): as a trustee, legally we cannot take a township vehicle and check the roads; we have to do that in our personal vehicle. We do not get mileage money in the township, only if we go outside the township on township business.”
Boring said this is difficult when Belpre Township has 42 miles of roads, which are checked periodically to see if repairs or maintenance is needed.
“A little bit of money to help pay for fuel would be a benefit,” he said.
Currently local township trustees make anywhere from $300 to $400 a month. The bill would allow raises of up to 3 percent each year, which matches the Consumer Price Index.
Ohio Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Albany, said she thinks there needs to be a pay increase, especially for county government officials.
“I think that it’s important to move forward, particularly so officials at credentialed positions, like sheriff and auditor, can have competitive pay and possibly get a string of candidates running for the positions,” Phillips said.
That was a concern raised by Stebelton when he sponsored the bill: that because the salaries are so low, it’s hard to get people to run in smaller counties.
Phillips said the last time many judges received a pay raise was 2009, and that could be a turnoff for those who may otherwise consider running, and in some cases, sheriffs aren’t making what they should.
The Washington County Sheriff makes $69,372 annually, while the three judges make $121,350, of which a little more than $11,000 comes from the county while the rest comes from the state. Washington County commissioners make about $55,000 annually.
“Judges can make more in private practice than serving as a judge,” said Phillips. “With the last pay raise in 2009, it could make it less than attractive for (someone) qualified…I’ve spoken to county sheriffs in the area, and in some areas officers make more than the sheriff does. If you’re qualified for sheriff and run for office, you’re working more hours and making less (money). It creates tension in making sure those (rates) stay competitive.”
Washington County Common Pleas Judge Randall Burnworth said it’s been since 2006 that county judges received a raise.
“Many elected county officials have not had a raise since 2001,” said Burnworth. “They talk every year that it’s never a good time. I think the economy is coming out of the recession and (the discussion) has found its way to the front burner again.”
He agreed with Stebelton and Phillips, saying that it’s hard to draw in truly qualified people.
“I have less to complain about; there are judges who have been sitting on the bench without a raise for (many years),” he said. “I’ve been a judge for two years. (For some) there’s a greater expectation to get a raise some time.”
Ohio Rep. Andy Thompson, R-Marietta, said he is not in favor of the pay raises, but understands the plight of local officials.
“I’m very concerned about legislators setting their own pay,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of calls from public officials and I respect (their concerns). I understand and am very sympathetic, but I never got into this because of the pay.”
His concern comes largely from what the taxpayers and voters may feel about the raises.
“We’re going to study this and see if it’s the appropriate amount, if it makes sense,” he said. “We’re trying to be fiscally responsible…and find a level that’s sustainable and financially practical given the financial state (of Ohio). Fiscal responsibility is something that’s important to the voters.”
Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, said the state Senate leaders are looking into a commission that would take voting on salaries out of the legislature’s hands.
“The Senate president is looking at an Elected Officials Pay Commission,” he said. “It’s something that would be established to make a recommendation (on pay raises by) looking at what other states are doing.”
Gentile said one concern has been sheriffs, who “do very dangerous jobs and risk their lives.”
He said many of the local elected officials are underpaid.
“I’m continuing to follow the issue and looking at the different approach where the senate made the recommendation about the pay commission,” he said. “I certainly understand the position local officials who are earning some of the lowest wages (are in). We’re weighing the pros and cons (of the) issue as it develops in the House.”
Thompson said the money for the raises will most likely come from the general fund, but that could change.
Like Thompson, Washington County Commission President Ron Feathers said that he’s opposed to pay increases that will continue to happen should the law pass.
“I am opposed to institutional pay raises without going through the legislature,” he said. “(The bill) requires pay increases every year without the legislature actively voting on it; I think that’s wrong. At the end of the day, if you don’t like what the job pays, don’t do the job.”