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Home My WebLink AboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 305 - 7-2-1990 - COMMISSIONER477 Washington County Commissioners Washington, PA, July 2, 1990 A special public meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners was held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 2, 1990, in the Public Meeting Room of the Courthouse Square Office Building, Washington, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of fixing the salaries of all County officials governed by the Act of 1971, Nov. 1, P.L. 495, No. 113 Section 10.1, as amended. Members being present were: Commissioners Mascara, Petrosky and Paluso. Also being present: Chief Clerk Dallatore; Assistant Solicitor Kathy Emery; Kathleen Flynn Reda, Register of Wills; John F. Yoney, Treasurer; Farrell Jackson, Coroner; James Fazzoni, Sheriff; Barbara Gibbs, Clerk of Courts; Paul Belcastro, Controller; Josephine Vincent, Jury Commissioner; Linda Ritzer, Observer -Reporter; Scott Herrington, WJPA; County employees consisting of Debra Lindley, Angeline Veltri, Josephine Haines, Donna Klinger, LaVera Parkinson, Betty Tucker, Donna Matthews, Pamela Matthews, Kathy Penn, Joanne Puskarich, Romaine Phillip, Patricia Ondash, Christine Barnhart, Robert Taylor, Sandra Wormsley, Sylvi-, Anderson and John Pankopf. Chairman Mascara called the meeting to order and entertained comments those present. Donna Klinger, an employee of the Washington County Health Center and President of SEIU, commented that what bothers her is that SEIU (bargaining unit for most County union employees) had a strike and was told that there was no money and could not negotiate wages for the third year (1992) of the contract so where was the money coming from for increases for elected officials in 1992. Chairman Mascara stated that there are provisions for a wage reopener in 1992 and that the purpose of this public meeting was not to negotiate a union contract. Commissioner Petrosky commented that Ms. Klinger's comparison was rather weak in that the SEIU contract raises cost approximately $200,000 - $260,000 a year whereby four years ago when increases were approved for elected officials, the costs were approximately $25,000 per year. More discussion followed. Sheriff Fazzoni commented that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss raises for elected officials and not the SEIU contract. Josephine Haines of Tax Assessment questioned the justification for the Washington County Commissioners being the highest paid of all the fourth-class counties, second to Allegheny County which is a second-class county. Chairman Mascara responded that he feels each county has to be judged on its own merits and whether the Commissioners are full-time or not. He noted that Washington County is recognized statewide as "the progressive county" in the state for tax assessment, economic development, etc. ".1 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA FRANK R. MASCARA, METRO PETROSKY, JR , EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Ms. Haines brought up the matter of the assessors who became certified in 1987. Commissioner Petrosky again noted that the purpose of this meeting was to discuss wage increases for elected officials and not a forum for her problems in Tax Assessment or how SEIU members feel about their contract. Joanne Puskarich, an employee of the Washington County Health Center, questioned who decides whether or not elected officials get a raise. The Commissioners noted that they, by statute, fix the salaries for all elected officials. Sheriff Fazzoni commented that all the county officials come to work everyday and work hard and he feels they deserve a raise. Chairman Mascara again commented that when comparing salaries to other counties, you have to look at each county and how the officials perform, whether they show up for work, whether they're full-time or part-time and whether they have another job or source of income. contract. More comments were made by Donna Klinger concerning the SEIU-County Chairman Mascara asked for comments from elected officials as to whether or ,.hey feel the raises should be a cost -of -living increase, a straight percentage lase or a combination. Sheriff Fazzoni stated he felt it should be on a straight intage basis. Commissioner Petrosky commented that he feels it's a very awkward situation for any elected official to come before the constituency and try to justify a raise, especially in today's climate where, for whatever reason, cynicism or negativism, the people have lost faith in the system; and that most things said in terms of trying to justify a wage increase fall on deaf ears because most people are convinced that elected officials don't deserve an extra nickel, and that the people are entitled to feel that way because that's the way the system and the country works and he wouldn't want it any different. He stated that he feels the Commissioners can look with a great deal of pride in terms of their accomplishments for the County. He stated that seven years ago, the County was facing 16% unemployment and that the psychological mentality of the people in the county was not very good because they didn't think that there was a future. At that time, the Board of Commissioners decided that they were going to become extra aggressive when it came to industrial development and economic development and he feels the results are starting to show with projects such as Southpointe, Malden Park and Star Lake Amphitheatre. He stated that he feels the Commissioners have turned this County around and that every elected official should have a great deal of pride in terms of their respective jobs and offices. He noted that county government has become too sophisticated and too complex for any official not to serve full time in their position. He also stated that he feels the Commissioners have treated their employees fairly and that they have never gone away 479 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA FRANK R. MASCARA, METRO PETROSKY, JR, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS from union negotiations empty-handed year after year; they may have had to fight for what they got, but they did not go away empty-handed. He added that when comparing employees' salaries statewide, they're not too bad either. He further stated that he feels the elected officials work hard and deserve some entitlement. He noted that if the Board does not take any action this year, the Board can not come back in 1991 and set salaries for 1992 because the law does not allow it; so, therefore, whatever action is taken this year will set the salaries for four years beginning in 1992. He stated that he does not think it would be fair to not take any action tonight because he feels that elected officials, including the Commissioners, deserve something for their efforts. Therefore, he submitted a 6% salary increase for elected officials for four years, beginning in 1992. Josephine Vincent, Jury Commissioner, stated that there has been a substantial change in the Office of Jury Commissioner. She noted that before it was a part-time job and they worked one day a week, but now they have an office and their responsibilities increased one hundred -fold because the work in their office used to be done by three offices with a full staff but as of September they took over full- time and now have an office. She stated that she feels the elected officials are very energetic and have accomplished a lot and she is requesting a raise. Commissioner Mascara and Donna Klinger briefly discussed the percentage wage increased negotiated with SEIU and PSSU. Commissioner Paluso commented that the fourteen district justices got a $10,000 raise this year on top of the $5,000 they got two years ago and that they received it in the middle of their term. He also noted that the five state representatives make about $75,000 a year for part-time jobs. Commissioner Mascara commented that althought it is a little bit embarrassing, he does not hesitate to approve this wage increase because he feels that the Commissioners have demonstrated their worth. Josephine Haines stated that she is not against anyone getting a raise because now a days, elected officials have to have a broad education and the only way you can keep good officials in office is to pay them good money as the people in the business world make hundreds and thousands of dollars; however, she asks that the raise be fair. Moved by Mr. Petrosky, seconded by Mr. Paluso, adopting a resolution establishing the salary of all county officers in accordance with the provisions of Act of Assembly, 1971, Nov. 1, P.L. 495, No. 113, Section 1, as amended, 16 Pa. S., Section 11011, et seq, as provided on the salary schedule listed below. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Petrosky - Yes; Mr. Mascara - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. K:• ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARY SCHEDULE For the Years 1992 thru 1995 6% Increase 1992 1993 1994 1995 Commissioner, Chairman 50,154 53,103 56,229 59,543 Commissioner 49,154 52,103 55,229 58,543 Register of Wills 47,947 50,704 53,626 56,724 Sheriff 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Treasurer 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Controller 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Recorder of Deeds 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Prothonotary 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Clerk of Courts 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Coroner 45,947 48,704 51,626 54,724 Jury Commissioners 10,686 11,327 12,007 12,727 There being no further business, Chairman Mascara declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 6:25 p.m. THE OREGOING MI/NUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: 1990 AT ST: 'cam IEF CLERK 1 1