Compensation Review Commission
Originally Published: July 29, 2024
Elected Officials Share Thoughts on Salary
Eight elected officials testified before the Compensation Review Commission on July 10th. Commissioners, including Randy Guy, Scott Ostrow, and Mike Hewitt gave statements along with County Treasurer Christy Kelly, State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling, Orphans Court Judges Michael White, Albert Babcock, and Bill Mattingly, and Board of Education members Jim Davis and Dorothy Andrews. Board of
Commissioner President Guy dispelled the notion that Commissioners only work on Tuesdays. The Commissioner President, he said, is responsible for meeting with county staff to create the agenda and gather necessary information. Because he is retired, Guy takes on other roles with the Maryland Association of Counties and Veterans Regional Area Council. Commissioner President, Guy explained, should be considered a “full-time” position with a competitive salary. Currently, the salary is approximately $56K per year. Commission member Karl Pence asked Guy if was advocating for a significant pay difference between the Commissioner President and other Commissioners. Guy said yes, and he would support legislation to that effect.
Commissioner Ostrow said he considers being a Commissioner a full-time job. “You can do as much or as little as a Commissioner, but successful ones put the time in,” Ostrow commented. John Parlett, Compensation Commission Chair, agreed but added “the role of Commissioner is driven by passion for the community and the desire to give back.” Commissioners should be paid more, Ostrow said, because $52K per year is low for an “executive level position.” Comparatively, the salary at Ostrow’s “day job” is $56K/yr for an entry level position. Commission member Pence said he could support a pay increase with “provisions stating a Commissioner isn’t focusing on outside businesses.” Alternatively, member Jacinta Bottoms-Spencer thought the pay rate was “competitive for the amount of work expected.”
Commissioner Hewitt thought he was “overpaid.” However, “it’s necessary to understand that paying low salaries limits the pool of candidates,” Hewitt said. Many people can’t afford to sacrifice their current income for a pay rate on which it could be difficult to support a family. Hewitt evoked the memory of Tyrone Harris, saying the long time friends had agreed to run for office at the same time. When the time came, Harris was not in a position to leave his employment according to Hewitt. Chair John Parlett, and member Tommy McKay, thought it unlikely someone in their 30-40s would “set their entire career aside” to run for office. Some local employers are flexible with scheduling, and Parlett “can’t think of many Commissioners who did not have a job elsewhere while serving.”
State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling “doesn’t do this for the compensation, [but] because she wants to serve the community.” Sterling said while she wasn’t looking for a salary change, she did think prosecutors, in general, are underpaid. Chair Parlett asked Sterling’s opinion about the salary being tied to that of a Circuit Court Judge. “It’s like being the umpire versus managing a baseball team,” said the State’s Attorney. Her position is the chief law enforcement officer in the county and oversees a large staff, which, she said, means the responsibilities of her position are greater.
Board of Education members Jim Davis and Dorothy Andrews also appeared before the Commission. Davis thought he was paid well for the amount of time spent on the job, which he estimated at 18 hours per month. Andrews agreed that the pay was sufficient, but said she spends considerably more time in her role, estimating 42 hours per month. Interestingly, Davis said he couldn’t see “an effective board member having another full time job.”
