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Cape Girardeau County officials approve increase in their salariesFriday, October 30, 2009Editor's note: The story has been changed to indicate that the raises go into effect in 2011 for the office holders if approved in the budgetary hearings which are scheduled to take place in the next few weeks. Cape Girardeau County officials Thursday approved a raise in salaries for certain office holders in 2011. The County Salary Commission meets every two years to determine if raises should be approved for certain officeholders. During Thursday's meeting officials agreed to continue providing a 3.5 percent raise for those who will be in office by 2011. The increase in pay is contingent on the Cape Girardeau County Commission approving the raises in the annual budget. County employees must receive at least the same increase for the raises to go into effect. Members of the commission are Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, County Clerk Kara Clark Summers, County Treasurer Roger Hudson, Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones, District 1 Commissioner Paul Koeper, District 2 Commissioner Jay Purcell, Sheriff John Jordan, Auditor David Ludwig, Administrator Phyllis Schwab, Recorder Janet Robert, Assessor Jerry Reynolds, Collector Diane Diebold and Coroner John Clifton. Diebold and Clifton were absent from Thursday's meeting. Swingle said the raises are necessary to attract not only the most qualified people to fill elected offices but also those serving in other offices in the county. "We don't need to take a Chicken Little approach on salaries like other counties are doing," Swingle said. "To attract and keep good people in these offices, we need good salaries. "If times are lean and the county is not giving raises, then the officeholders would not get a raise that year," he said. "But if we don't vote this in now, times could be flush in the future and every other employee would get a raise except the officeholder." Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones agreed. Jones said the most important things the county has are its employees. "If they're all unhappy and unsatisfied things don't function quite as well." Under the current salary structure, the auditor, collector, recorder of deeds and presiding commissioner earn $67,661 each year. The raise would increase their pay to $70,029. The county clerk makes $70,332 and would receive $72,794 after the pay increase. Purcell was the only dissenting vote. "Given the condition of our economy, we should be doing everything within our power to reduce government expenses and reinvest those savings back with our citizens either directly if it is legally possible or into needed projects that will better serve our citizens," Purcell said. 388-3628 Pertinent address: 1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO
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I think the county cleark should make 40-50,000 no more then that because they get raises and what do we get more taxes and raises in our trash/water/sewer bill and when we are all in the red talking about cape city and county so how can they afford raises I say down with the raises and a cut in salarie pay if you make 30-80,000 a year then you should make 20-60,000 a year instead! I am not paying for their raises and i don't think any other citizen should!
Dear Sweet Cape County Officals,
I completely understand your troubles. While the whole country is laying off employees, Jay Nixon included. Business leaders are holding the line on giving their employees raises, and bonus money is being cut. You feel that the chicken little approach will not work this year. Good for you. I am sure that the all of Cape County agrees with you. It does not matter what shape the economy is in. You have worked hard this year and you deserve this money.
These salaries are absurd. They need a dose of what a real job is like. Where else in Cape can you find salaries this high without owning your own business or being a doctor??? Crazy!
I agree with the others who commented on this travesty, half the county is out of work, the other half is underpaid, many people are really worried about how they are going to pay their taxes and keep food on the table and our public officials vote themselves a raise! The last time I looked, the county commissioners work about 2 days a week, drive cars that are paid for by taxpayers, including the cost of operation of said vehicle. I live on less than 20,000 per year and can't afford a vehicle, but they give themselves a raise to over 3 times what I make?
Give me a break! I for one will remember this come election day! They are supposed to be our servants, not our overlords!
Not a good time for pay increases. The State laying people off no increases to none of their employees not even this up-coming year. This increase was poor timing on the County's part it does not set a good example before the people.
What do the commissioners make? Can we have a full story please?
Jones said the most important things the county has are its employees. "If they're all unhappy and unsatisfied things don't function quite as well."
I thought this was a public servant job. Money should not be what keeps these people "happy" and "functioning well". What crap!!!!!
Don't take a Chicken Little approach--when you have a chance to take a Fox in the Hen House approach. Surely this is not the best system that could be found to determine if our elected officials should receive a raise.
capeguy30, You really should get your information straight before you post. "trash/water/sewer bill" is city not county. And City Council receives only nominal amount (like $100 per month) for their volunteerism.
ParkerDaws, Can we have a poster that reads the article please?
Considering the County Commissioners do not have established office hours (thus some could treat this as a part time job), are provided a county vehicle, county cell phone, given our county's current unemployment and economic downturn, I agree with Jay on this one.
And another very good reason to support a different form of County government, charter anyone? The new group of 7 representatives would be much less expensive, as they would receive nominal pay like Cape's City Council. True, there would be a new salary of a County manager, but in the long run, fair, unbias representation would benefit the entire county.
Folks: News alert. The director of the Cape County Health Dept makes over $82,000 per year in salary alone with a full benefits package of health and retirement. There scheduled work week is 37.5 hours per week. You do the math. What will that increase be? it is fully taxpayer supported. Look at you tax bills.
Boo Boo has it right! Commissioner salaries are huge! I do not have the exact figure but Im sure its not hard to find but I believe it exceeds 50k
a year and probably closer to 60k. A Charter form of Government would take care of the three ring circus we have in place know and provide 7 representatives from through out the County. The people would be paid MUCH less than what we pay out now with only 3. The Charter form of Government would be a great fit in Cape Girardeau County and serve us better in the future.
I cant belive they would vote to give theirselfs a raise. OK I can belive it.
Unemployment up, lay offs up, forecloser up, lines at food banks longer than ever, and our county leaders give theirselfs a raise. Time to clean house.
Hey Baby, you getcha self on over here and I'LL show you MY Chicken Little approach!
I know city council makes $100 a month and I was wanting to be on city council but who would vote for me and alot of stuff that the city council votes on i would vote NO on because alot of it is not needed or to much money and the citizens of Cape Girardeau should come first before politics
and we got lots of streets that need fixed and even the bridge in the red star area needs fixed and most of all and it's the city's fault they are in the red and we shouldn't have to pay for that I am glad to say I was born and roaised in St. Louis, MO and also not cape county commissoners don't need raises either they only meet a few times a week and all we heard about was them fighting with jay purcell and also he is a bad lanlord i know for expirence but still if Cape Girardeau is hurting for money then they county you think will be to so the raises for the county ins't neccessary!
I have no problem with paying folks what they are
worth, but what they are worth should not be determined by the folks we are paying.
This infuriates me so much, I can't even come up with a coherent response. All I can come up with is "graaahafheofinaweoviawe;riawef!!!!!!!"
Just as the fed. gov. is determining that economic conditions warrant NO INCREASE for social security recipients for the FIRST TIME IN 35 YEARS, our county "officials" are determining for themselves, that "they" are an exception to the worst economic times in 70+ years!
1. Elected officials MUST have their pay determined by vote of the people! or, of course, they are going to "vote" themselves a pay raise.
2. Across the board % increases negate the value of the lower wage workers of a business, county, etc. and these are the very people upon whom the same organization depends for it's daily output and success. Why give County Commissioners making $60K / yr (remember it was only raised to $55K just a few years ago!) a $2,100 / yr increase and the basic county worker only $700! We, the people, should vote for increases that value each employee NOT place more of a disparity on the already skewed system of pay in our county!
3. The people MUST take control of deciding the pay of our elected officials or we will continue to see pay out of control, e.g. county commissioners working a part-time job, making $60+K / yr.! When the pay went up to $55 / yr. there were about 50 applicants for open positions, as opposed to the 3 or 4 per year when the pay was @ about $30K - a good value for a county, part-time job!
4. We need a state-wide referendum on who determines the pay of all our elected officials!
Does anyone out there have the info. as to how we
could get this policy changed, where the voters
would vote on our officials raises? It must be
nice to be able to give yourself a raise,another
strike for Jones and Swingle
I know Purcell has gotten a bad reputation in the county, but if people would look at his voting record, I think this guy is the only one over there that thinks about the little guy before he votes on issues... I'm glad we have him over there not affraid to go against the grain and ruffle a few feathers to protect us from the good ole boy network that has been in place for far too long! And by the way... Koepper voted to give himself a raise when he has been in office for less than a year... wtf!
One disenting vote cast in the "raise for us' question. I'm certain Jay will remind us of his opposition, but no doubt he will still get the raise.
This act is extremely arrogant and disrespectful to the taxpayors in the county. Money seems to be plentiful now but what will we hear when the valuations fall based upon falling real estate values and the tax revenue dips?
Why do we continue to allow government to expand its spending while commerce and industry suffer the consequences of the recession? The only expansion taking place seems to be with govenment and other NON PROFITS which pay no taxes at all. These expansions only serve to lower the tax base over a period of time and increasing the burden even more on those who pay taxes.
If these actions can be attributed to our "happy well qualified staff" perhaps they can be encouraged to read about the critical nature of our economy and act with more restraint. Wouldn't it be good if our elected "public servants" demonstrated leadership by example and deferred the raises for a while?
I think Jay voted his conscience on this one. I mean he doesn't do anthing for the county so he shouldn't get a raise. All he does is come to the commison meetings and act like a seagull. Flies in, squawks, craps and flies out.
Hey, WhiningVoice, you sure seem to know a lot about the workings of the county. Are you a county employee? If so, I'm sure you wouldn't be using a county computer or county time to post your political views.
I've known Jay for a long time. He talks a good game but he is all hat and no cattle.
Everyone needs to contact the commissioners soon and let them know how you feel.
Real Frantic, Agree with your thoughts. In addition, some posters should really review the changes to MO's SB818. http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/BTS_Web/...
"... raises are necessary to attract ... the most qualified people ..."
Always just loved that age-old, standard comment/excuse for raising public officials salaries. It's not actually valid or true, but it does sound good, doesn't it?
"... the most important things the county has are its employees. If they're all unhappy and unsatisfied things don't function quite as well."
Perhaps that's when there should be a turnover of employees?
This vote is a perfect example of why we need a Charter form of County Government! These three clowns will never see eye to eye! Jay does what Jay needs to do to keep his very high paying job.
I will not allow any wanna be politician to pull wool over my eyes. I hope none of you do either.
They all must go and Charter Government is way over due in Cape County.
Dear Mr or Mrs Boo Boo,
Please take the reading course yourself before casting the stone. No where in the article does it cite the commissioners' salary. It does indicate several other positions including the presiding commissioner. The reader doesn't know what a percentage increase means unless the salary is stated. Perhaps you should go back and read the article....but do so very slowly.....one word at a time.
"We don't need to take a Chicken Little approach on salaries like other counties are doing," Swingle said. "To attract and keep good people in these offices, we need good salaries."
LOL! Proof that our politicians don't care about service, only the money!
Kudos to Purcell for voting against it.
We all complain but the sorry fact is that 95% of these clowns won't have an opponent in their next election cycle and even if they did have an opponent the same people on here complaining would not support those that attempted to change things. This salary increase is just a SLAP in the face.
What do you expect from an outfit run by Boss Hogg
and Sheriff Roscoe???
What do you expect from an outfit run by Boss Hogg
and Sheriff Roscoe???
How do we know these office holders performance merit a pay increase? The only watchdog is the voter and we have no idea how they each handle their respective office. Do they put in 8 hours/day work? How have they managed the taxpayers money? Is their office efficient and delivering customer service? We all want raises however there needs to be specific measurements or evaluations that warrant any increase. Oh I forgot--we are talking about government positions that do not require any of the above. Bottom line this is not a good time to even breath the word salary increase.
"To attract and keep good people in these offices, we need good salaries."
That is laughable! We hear of budget cutbacks in cash strapped towns, counties and states nationwide every day who have been forced to lay off employees and officials.
So, if we do not give raises "to keep good people in these offices" where will these elected and hired employees going to go to find similar work making a similar salary when unemployment nationwide is over 9.5%?
Perhaps they can go work for the federal government, they seem to be the only place expanding their work force!
I really do hope all of you are registered voters. Non-voters have exempted their opinions by electing to igore the right.
I also hope that you are informed. If you vote straight party each time, then you get exactly what you voted for.
Having worked for county government in another state, I was among the LOWEST paid employees in the country. At one time, working on a temporary grant from the FEDEARL GOVERNMENT, I made a whopping $365 a month. Granted that was more years then i would like to admit but it was a far cry from the wages I had made previously in St Louis working in the private sector. Even the security you expect working for government was only dependent upon the party you worked for staying in power.
AND how many are really upset over an increase for 2011 just because you either didn't get an increase this year or resent someone else getting an increase? Usually jealousy is the biggest problem between government workers and the private sector. The abuse you take at the hands of the private sector for just doing your job usually isn't worth the pay. Yes, I even received a back handed death threat for doing just my job.
So, either be responsible voters that know who you are voting for or register and become one. Whining in SO does not prove anything other then you are GREAT WHINERS.
The Commissioner's salaries are closer to 70k. I really wouldn't mind those salaries that much, if we had quality executives in those positions. The crew we have up there now (I'm talking about elected officials only)couldn't make near that amount of coin anywhere else, and simply are not worth it.
DISAPPOINTING and wrong for so many reasons!! This measure must not pass. These salaries are adequate for the amount of time required(no clear requirements)and the added perks. Taxpayers in this county should revolt, these raises are inappropriate and ill-timed. Thank you Mr. Purcell for the one vote of reason and integrity.
Once again Jay Purcell has used his conscience to make the right decision. With this vote he has proven that he is the only Cape County Commissioner to take his Oath of Office seriously.
Jay , keep up the good fight for open-government and please continue to look out for your constituents!
Must be nice to be capable of voting yourself a raise! I'm a teacher and I vote that I get paid enough to pay my bills without tutoring after school and working a part time job in addition to teaching all day and coming in early and staying late to work on lesson plans!!