Ever wonder whether your county commissioner is adequately compensated for the time they put in representing your best interest?
Well, head scratch no more. We’ve arrived at that time of year when commissioners huddle together to determine how much they think they’re worth. Call it their version of the traditional New Year’s resolution that kicks in after the first of the year.
And while you’re at it – massaging what’s left of your scalp after the past four brutal years – consider that way back in 1945 –according to MN State Statute – commissioners in counties with small-scale populations like ours (less than 6,500 inhabitants), were not allowed to receive compensation that exceeded $500! That’s equivalent to $7,057.11 in today’s dollars after adjusting for inflation, should you be curious.
We can certainly all agree more than fashion styles have changed since the mid-40s.
So let’s jet to 2019. How many of your hard-earned tax dollars go to compensate those we’ve elected to “serve”?
Commissioner Doo- Kirk was on board when former Cook County Commissioner Sue Hakes avowed, should the county hire a county administrator, commissioners’ wages should be trimmed.
Must have slipped Doo-Kirk’s mind as not only were concessions not made after an administrator stepped aboard, Doo- Kirk recently claimed, during a WTIP interview, “Cook County is typically in the lower tier of payment for commissioners.”
That depends on what “tier” she’s referencing?
Do St. Louis County commissioners receive more compensation than Cook County commissioners?
You betcha! And there are levelheaded reasons why …namely, St. Louis County supports a population nearly 40 times that of ours; additionally, St. Louis County commissioners steward a budget that makes ours look like chump change.
While on the surface it may appear Cook County commissioners are the lowest rung on the pay scale, comparing “base salary” only, a second glance will prove otherwise. And, should a Cook County commissioner opt for the family health insurance policy instead of the single coverage, you can add an additional $10,120 to the total shown in the chart ($54,228).
Of the other six counties included in the Iron Range Fiscal Disparities program, Cook County commissioners’ total compensation and benefits comes in at number three highest despite having the smallest population and annual budget.
Consider this sobering statistic: approximately 40 percent of Cook County’s residents make less than our county commissioners!
Brings to mind an observation former spirited Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura made on the subject: “Something’s wrong, when you’re making more money working for the government than you can working in the private sector.”
In this case we’re talking the private sector here in Cook County; not some major metropolitan metropolis that exists miles from here.
We’re not them …
Former Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble is writing this ongoing column about the various ways government works, as well as other topics. At times the column is editorial in nature.
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