Former Summit commissioner is still entitled to 2 years' salary

Summit County has trimmed its 2009 budget by almost $5 million without having to cut staff, programs or basic services.

However, one of two County Commission members effectively laid off when the county switched to a council form of government could still be paid salary and benefits for two more years.

Former Commissioner Ken Woolstenhume is entitled by state law to receive about $60,000 per year plus benefits for the whole term to which he was elected. He hasn't yet decided whether he will accept the money, he said.

"I wasn't in favor of the change of form of government to start with," he said. "I think the Legislature made a boo-boo when they changed the law the way they did."

Woolstenhume said that without the legislative change, he would still be working as a county official.

Former Commissioner Bob Richer is in the same boat as Woolstenhume but won't be accepting the two years' salary.

"Legally, we're entitled to it," he said. "I have said quite awhile ago that my line is 'No work, no pay.' I have never wavered."

Commissioner Sally Elliott was the sole county official elected to continue on as a county council member under the new form of government. She declined to comment on Woolstenhume's salary, saying it was his personal decision.

But as the one link between commission and council, Elliott will be left to fund the salary if Woolstenhume chooses to accept it.

She and four other council members will also be responsible for future budget decisions, some of which could prove to be very difficult.

So far, the county has weathered the recession with little difficulty. Its budget for next year reflects that, remaining relatively flat except for a major decrease in capital programs.

The 9 percent budget decrease reflects the capital cuts. It also includes a cost-of-living increase for employees and a 15.8 percent increase in the county's contribution to their health plans.

"The county continues to rely on growth to fund increases," a budget document published on the county's Web site reads.

However, December, January and February are the city's most profitable months in terms of restaurant tax, sales tax and hotel tax revenues, said Woolstenhume.