December 30, 2005

                                                  

COUNTY BOARD ADJUSTS MEMBERS BASE COMPENSATION TO BETTER KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION; APPROVES PAY PLANS FOR COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S STAFF

Acting in a special meeting today, Westchester Legislators voted to adjust their basic compensation by an average of less than 2.4% a year, the first increase in their pay in six years, as well as to modify stipends, some of which have been untouched for 20 years. The entire increased compensation package will cost approximately $112,000.

The Board also approved a 3% annual salary increase for some 181 members of the County administration and okayed a boost in the County Executive's salary from the 2002 rate of $143,535 to $160,760 and for the County Clerk from $136,700, its 2002 level, to $153,105. Pay increases for the District Attorney's staff were also approved.

"The legislators' base salary hasn't increased since 2000 even though the cost of living has," Bill Ryan (D-WF, White Plains), Chair of the County Board, said. He said that while the new figure, $49,200 up from $43,060, still lags behind the pace of inflation "at least it's moving in the right direction." Ryan also noted that the increase "is a start towards reflecting legislative responsibilities, which have grown considerably since the Board of Legislators replaced the Board of Supervisors 30 years ago."

Ryan's own stipend as Chair, which hasn't been adjusted since 1985, will go up from $25,000 to $40,000.

"The Board has become much more assertive in resolving the County's problems and saving taxpayer dollars," Ryan said. "It's also stepped up its oversight of the County administration." He also noted that the Board was dealing with the challenges of more state and federal mandates, changing demographics and handling programs that were once the responsibility of other levels of government.

Pointing to a somewhat comparable situation, Ryan said "legislators in Suffolk get paid $75,000 while our legislators will receive $49,200."

"The Suffolk Legislature operates with a $10.3 million budget and 124 full-time employees while our Legislature operates with a $3.3 million budget and 23 full-time employees. Considering that our Legislature only constitutes .0027% of the County's entire budget, Westchester taxpayers are getting their money's worth."