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Home My WebLink AboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 91 - 10-29-1981 - COMMISSIONERMINUTE BOOK BOARD' OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. FRANK R. MASCARA, DAVID L. GILMORE. EDWARD M. PALUSO. COMMISSIONERS Minute No. 91 Washington County Commissioners Washington, Pa., October 29, 1981 A Special Public Meeting of the Washington County Board of Commissioners was held at 6:00 p.m. I on Thursday, October 29, 1981, in the Public Meeting Room of the Courthouse Square Office Build - ling, Washington, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of fixing the salary of all County officials gove=r- led by the provisions of the Act of 1971, Nov. 1, P,L. 495, No. 113 @10.1. Members being present were: Conmissioners Gilmore and Paluso. Absent being: Caru&ssioner Mascara who was recovering from his hospitalization. Also present being: Chief Clerk Dallatore, Solicitor Bassi, Budget Director Gillespie; Kathleen Flynn Reda, Register of Wills; Olga Woodward, Recorder of Deeds; Farrell Jackson, Coroner; James Fazzoni, Sheriff; Herman Bigi, District Attorney; John Yoney, Treasurer; Metro Petrosky, Clerk of Courts; Bob Franks, Prothonotary; August Stache, Controller; Charles Connors, Jury Commissioner; Jon Stevens of The Observer -Reporter; Bob Sabot of WKEG; Abe Faiella, Betty Findley, John McCarty, Evelyn Comstock, George Eckert, Joshua Holliday, Joan Barale, Josephine Vincent and a few other interested citizens. Commissioner Gilmore called the meeting to order and explained that this meting was being held pursuant to the provisions of the Act of 1971, Nov. 1, P.L. 495, No. 113 §10.1 for the pur- pose of fixing the salary of all County officials. Mr. Gilmore then asked if there were any ques- tions or conments from the audience. John McCarty stated that in looking over the salaries as they are today, he feels the Sheriff is overpaid and does not agree with an increase for the Sheriff nor the Treasurer. He stated the only office that is worthy of an increase is the Coroner. He stated that there should not be any increases and that salaries should be kept down. Mr. Gilmore noted that the Act requires that the percentage increase be the same for all offices - no official can get more of an increase than another. A brief discussion followed. Solicitor Bassi added that the 1981 salaries have been mandated by statute and that some of the officials now in office are being paid less than the mandated salaries because they were in office when the increases were handed down. More discussion followed. George Eckert made a few comments and recommended an increase for the officials due to the rate of inflation. It was pointed out at this time that there are approximately 19 to 20 county department heads/employees who make more money than the Commissioners. Mr. Gilmore noted that the magistrates even make more money than the Commissioners. A few questions were asked of the Commissioners in reference to their use of County cars. A brief discussion followed. Sheriff Fazzoni made a few comments and stated that he considers his position as being underpaid and is in favor of a cost of living allowance due to the rate of inflation. n L 1 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA FRANK R. MASCARA, DAVID L. GILMORE, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Coroner Jackson stated that his salary is $17,000 and that he will never be in the same category as the other officials. He feels that all of the county officials are entitled to a cost of living allowance. Coroner Jackson made some further comments. Commissioner Paluso stated that the Coroner's salary is the frost glaring inequity in the salary scale; and he pointed out that at one time, Mr. Jackson's secretary made more than. him. He stated that the Commissioners will continue to pursue legislation to correct this situation. Joshua Holliday stated that he felt it would only be fair if the officials received a 10% cost of living allowance. Mr. Gilmore then asked Mr. Gillespie, County Budget Director, to explain haw he arrived at the new salary scale for the officials. Mr. Gillespie stated that twelve (12) counties in the state of Pennsylvania have adopted salary increases under the new act with the average increase being 9.3%; the range is 5% - 40%. Mr. Gillespie explained that his recommendation is based on the Consumer Price Index (14.3%) but he felt that was a little high and therefore made some ad- justments (i.e., use of automobile, etc.). Mr. Gillespie made a few more comments and recommend- ed a cost of living allowance of 7,7. for the county officials. Mr. Gilmore then read the following Resolution: WHEREAS, the Commissioners of the County of Washington pursuant to the provisions of Act of 1971, Nov. 1, P.L. 495, No. 113 §10.1, are authorized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to set salary schedules for the officials hereinafter named; and WHEREAS, due and proper notice of public hearing has been given pursuant to the provisions of such act; and WHEREAS, the 29th day of October, 1981, at 6:00 o'clock P.M. is the date and time when such public hearing was held. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners of Washington County, Penn- sylvania, do hereby resolve and adopt the salary schedules as follows: SCHEDULE PROVIDING FOR 7.5% ANNUAL COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES, EFFECTIVE I�kE- DIATELY, AND TO TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY OF EACH YEAR. THEREAFTER. AS NOTED Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan. 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 Commissioner (Chairman) 24,000 25,725 27,579 29,572 31,715 34,019 36,495 39,157 Commissioner 23,000 24,725 26,579 28,572 30,715 33,019 35,495 38,157 Dist. Atty. 23,500 25,262 27,157 29,194 31,384 33,738 36,268 38,988 Reg. of Wills 22,500 24,112 25,845 27,708 29,711 31,864 34,179 36,667 Sheriff 21,500 23,112 24,845 26,708 28,711 30,864 33,179 35,667 Treasurer 21,500 23,112 24,845 26,708 28,711 30,864 33,179 35,667 Controller 21,500 23,112 24,845 26,708 28,711 30,864 33,179 35,667 Rec. of Deeds 21,500 23,112 24,845 26,708 28,711 30,864 33,179 35,667 Prothonotary 21,500 23,112 24,845 26,708 28,711 30,864 33,179 35,667 Clk. of Cts. 21,500 23,112 24,845 26,708 28,711 30,864 33,179 35,667 Coroner 17,000 18,275 19,646 21,119 22,703 24,406 26,236 28,204 Jury Comm. 5,000 5,375 5,778 6,211 6,677 7,178 7,716 8,295 RESOLVED this 29th day of October, 1981. MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA FRANK R, MASCARA, DAVID L. GILMORE, EDWARD M. PALUSO. COMMISSIONERS uart rn�n�.nu 9 DONORA, PA. Mr. Gilmore then asked for comments from the other elected officials. Herman Bigi, District Attorney, stated that he feels the 7 7. cost of living allowance is fair and that the officials should receive an increase the same as anyone else; otherwise, they will not be able to survive the spiraling rate of inflation. Metro Petrosky, Clerk of Courts, stated that there appears to be many misconceptions attached to the public official today but that the officials are not any different from any other individual who is trying to make it in today's world. He pointed out that you can't expect to get qualified people to run for office unless you are willing to pay a decent salary. He stated that he would prefer a higher rate but would be willing to settle for the 7270 cost of living allowance. Charles Connors, Jury Commissioner, stated,he feels the officials deserve the 72Q/o cost of living allowance. Olga Woodward, Recorder of Deeds, agreed to the 7k70 cost of living allowance for all officials. Bob Franks, Prothonotary, who once went for a period of eight years without an increase, was in favor of the 72/O cost of living allowance. John Yoney, Treasurer, stated that considering the responsibilities of each officeholder, he agreed to the 72/o cost of living allowance. Kathleen Flynn Reda, Register of Wills, stated that due to the rate of inflation, she en- dorses the 7270 cost of living allowance. Josephine Vincent, a former County employee, stated she was in favor of the officials re- ceiving the proposed cost of living allowance. There being no other comments, Commissioner Gilmore recommended the adoption of the fore- going Resolution. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Gilmore, adopting the foregoing Resolution setting the salary schedules for the County officials. i Roll call vote taken: G Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Gilmore - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: 1981 f ATTEST: CHIEF CLERK td