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County bosses get 1.96 percent raise

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By Michael D. Bates

Published: November 27, 2007

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners will only get a 1.96 percent raise this year, amounting to about $1,144 extra a year in their pockets.

Commissioners Diane Rowden, Jeff Stabins, Dave Russell, Chris Kingsley and Rose Rocco will see their annual incomes increase from $58,408 to $59,552.

The state sets the rates for commissioners and constitutional officers. The salaries differ from county to county, depending on population and size of jurisdiction.

Last year, county commissioners received a 5.3 percent salary hike, or about $3,000 more a year in their paychecks.
Rowden said she already plans to donate her raise to the "Blankets of Love" program, administered by the Oak Hill Hospital Enrichment Center.

Rowden, who helped start the program, said it ensures that the county's lower-income elderly receive electric blankets.

Putting the money in the county's general fund doesn't make sense because the raise is so small, she said.

In donating her raise, Rowden is fulfilling a promise she made at the Sept. 13 budget hearing.

At that hearing, Commissioners Chris Kingsley and Jeff Stabins also said they would donate their next pay raise.

By state law, commissioners must receive their pay raises. But there is nothing that prohibits them from giving it away.

Kingsley and Stabins could not be reached for comment.

Commissioners foregoing their salary increases is not unprecedented. During his tenure on the board, former County Commissioner Robert Schenck donated part of his salary each year to a local prescription drug program, which helped seniors.

Schenck went on to win election to the Florida House of Representatives, District 44.

Russell said it should be up to each individual to decide what to do with their pay hike.

Russell said he and his wife Michele already donate to several charitable foundations and intend to continue doing so.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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