MAYVILLE – Is it time to give elected county officials a raise? That’s the question that will come up this week in Mayville as members of the county legislature consider salary increases for the office of County Executive, Clerk and Sheriff – along with increases to their own salaries.
Earlier this year, the county’s Salary Review Committee recommended an annual salary of $109,480 for the county executive – an increase of more than $24,000 over the current salary, which is an increase of 28.8 percent. The panel also recommended a 27 percent salary increase for the office of county clerk – bringing it up to $68,264. A 4.4 percent increase in the Sheriff’s Salary is also suggested, which would bring that total to $87,450.
The committee is also recommending an base-salary increase for legislators of 33 percent, bringing the total up from $9,000 to $12,000 per year.
Later today, the legislature’s Administrative Services committee will discuss the increase. In addition, the panel will also consider a motion, sponsored by Legislator Chairman Jay Gould (R-Ashville), opposing early voting in New York State.
The opposition stems from legislation introduced in the State Assembly and the State Senate that would allow residents to vote up to 14 days prior to the general election and up to seven days prior to a special election. Gould says that it would be an economic hardship to allow for early voting, with the annual local cost of extending voting for two weeks projected to be about $30,000.
While Gould’s motion is expected to gain some support in Mayville, at least one person is speaking out against it. County Elections Commissioner Norman Green – who also serves as the County’s Democratic Party Chairman – has already sent a correspondence to members of the legislature, asking that they not support the motion and instead support early voting, which would allow for an opportunity for greater voter turnout in the county.
The committee will meet today at 5:30 p.m in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building. Also meeting today is the county’s public facilities committee at 4 p.m. in Room 331 of the Gerace Office Building. Both meetings are open to the public.
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