Salary Input Wanted for Public Officials
Montgomery County’s Compensation Committee, which every four years is charged with examining the salaries of certain county elected officials—including those of the County Executive and members of the County Council—is seeking public comment as it prepares to make salary recommendations that would apply for the next four-year term.
The seven-member committee also will make recommendations on the salaries of the County Sheriff and the State’s Attorney. The recommendations will not apply to incumbent office holders, but will apply to the winners of elections held in November 2014. The recommendations, if accepted by the Council, will go into effect on January 1, 2015, for the State’s Attorney and December 2, 2014, for the other positions.
The Council can accept or reject the recommendations made by the committee. Recommendations are due to the Council no later than Sept. 15 of this year.
County residents can send comments by e-mail to jean.arthur@montgomerycountymd.gov or by mail to Compensation Committee / Montgomery County Council / 100 Maryland Ave., 5th Floor / Rockville, MD 20850 / Attn: Jean Arthur. The deadline for comments is Aug. 9.
The Committee is seeking public comment on the following:
County Executive
The current salary for the County Executive is $180,250.
On December 2, 2013, the County Executive’s salary will increase by the lower of the average of the CPI-U for the Washington-/Baltimore area for the 12-month period from September to September or the amount of the Fiscal Year 2014 general wage adjustment for MCGEO members (3.25 percent).
County Council
The current salary for Councilmembers is $104,022. The Council president receives an additional 10 percent ($114,425).
On Dec. 2, 2013, the salary for Councilmembers will increase by the lower of the average of the CPI-U for the Washington-/Baltimore area for the 12-month period from September to September or the amount of the FY14 general wage adjustment for MCGEO members (3.25 percent).
Sheriff
The current salary for the sheriff is $154,000.
On Dec. 2, 2013, the sheriff’s salary will increase by the lower of the average of the CPI-U for the Washington-Baltimore area for the 12-month period from September to September or the amount of the FY14 general wage adjustment for Fraternal Order of Police members (2.1 percent).
State’s Attorney
The current salary for the state’s attorney is $199,000.
On Jan. 1, 2014, the state’s attorney’s salary will increase by the lower of the average of the CPI-U for the Washington-/Baltimore area for the 12-month period from September to September or the amount of the FY14 general wage adjustment for MCGEO members (3.25 percent).
Before passing judgment on how MoCo officials are compensated, it would be most helpful to know how officials in neighboring Maryland jurisdictions, like Frederick, Howard, and PG Counties (especially PG County) are compensated. We want to compensate MoCo officials fairly, and that includes parity with other jurisdictions for similar jobs.