The County Executive and County Council members elected in November will not receive raises.

Council members this week voted 3 to 2 to leave their pay steady at $53,400 and hold the council chairman’s stipend at $1,000 more than his or her colleagues.

Voting against the measure were Democrat Courtney Watson and Republican Greg Fox, who had proposed reducing council members’ salaries to $52,892, the rate they were paid in 2008.

Members of the Howard council are the fifth highest paid council members in the state.

Also at the council’s Feb. 1 meeting, members eliminated a $2,500 annual increase for the County Executive, leaving the salary at $160,198.

The measure was introduced on behalf of County Executive Kenneth Ulman.

“I just didn’t think it was appropriate to take a raise,” Ulman said following the council meeting.

Both council and executive salaries are expected to increase based on inflation during the next four years, after which a citizens Compensation Review Committee will issue new pay recommendations.

---

user comments (2)

user edpriola says...

Have you ever wondered why many Americans have such scorn for elected officials? The Howard County Council demonstrated why that is this week. During an economic crisis they voted to give themselves a pay raise. They called it an adjustment for inflation. I call it an indefensible sense of entitlement by part-time representatives who earn as much as it takes to feed a family for a year. Instead of standing side-by-side with families that are being furloughed, losing jobs and trying to keep their homes, three Council members chose to stuff more money into their own pockets (presuming they get reelected in November). They need to get a grip on the reality of their constituents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Howard County unemployment skyrocketed from 3.6% in November 2008 to 5.3% in November 2009. The average weekly wage in Howard County in the second quarter of 2009 was $1,009. So a part-time County Council member makes 103%of the wage of an average full-time worker! Councilman Greg Fox and Courtney Watson voted against the raise. They are to be applauded. Ed Priola Candidate for Delegate

Posted 11:53 AM, 02.03.10 | Permalink

user mdcommish says...

its good to know common sense can actually be found on this board...vote all these clowns out of office come Nov.

Posted 2:07 PM, 02.03.10 | Permalink