Reader comments
Utah County commissioners hike pay
21 comments | Read story
Chuckles55 | 12:44 a.m. June 18, 2008
It's always exciting to see our government in action. I will be even more
excited when productivity goes up an additional 9 plus percent to match the pay
increase. Wow! This is better than Christmas for us voters.
Pete | 6:22 a.m. June 18, 2008
Will the greed never end. Public official should never be able to vote
themselves a raise. An across the board inflation adjustment is okay, and should
be built into the system, But grabbing money for yoursesl is most unethical.
Comments continue below
Mike | 6:40 a.m. June 18, 2008
When the rest of the economy and CITIZENS are struggling it is always nice to
hear how our elected officials treat themselves. So we determine how someone is
paid by what others are being paid not on what they are actually doing?? Vote
them all out!!!!
Reason to vote them all out | 6:42 a.m. June 18, 2008
Please, don't pass up on the chance when the time comes to vote these guys
out. I don't have a problem with elected officials raising salaries with
the level of the increase in the cost of living, as long as it doesn't take
effect for the elected term. But what these greedy guys did is obscene,
especially in the times we're in right now. Everyone else is struggling and
making cuts while they are padding their wallets to a excessive amount. There is
no easier job in politics than being a Utah County commissioner because most of
Utah County lies within a municipality.
Ann | 6:52 a.m. June 18, 2008
On the same day we learn that Democrate Pete Coroon is doing a hiring freeze
because of increasing costs I find it interesting that republic county (Utah
County) seems to have no problems increasing costs. Which party is known for
controlling costs and reducing taxes???
$7.50 an hour | 7:21 a.m. June 18, 2008
VOTE THEM OUT!!! I really fill sorry for them trying to live on $94.000 ops I
mean $104.000 THOUSAND a year... Try $16.000 a year. All I have to say is when
TAXPAYERS are having a hard time paying for food, gas, housing and all the other
TAXES... VOTE THE BUMS OUT!
And who voted them in office | 7:53 a.m. June 18, 2008
I am sick of hearing people complain about local and United States Government.
I totally agree with Ann, and also add one question to her comment; who was it
that voted them in office? There is a phrase that goes; "If you keep doing
what you have been doing you will keep getting the results that you have been
getting." I realize it is not going to happen, but it is time for CHANGE!
Finally I READ | 8:02 a.m. June 18, 2008
People that are posting and making some sence
Vote these Incumbunts out
They have taken over as if they own the State
We the People Own the State
They do not recognize We The People
Vote these Incumbunts out
They have taken over as if they own the State
We the People Own the State
They do not recognize We The People
Grandma Jean | 8:03 a.m. June 18, 2008
Disgraceful! Of course, why should they worry? They can always raise taxes to
balance the budget. This is thumbing your nose at your constituents. Let's
not forget who these people are when it's time to vote on who should
represent taxpayers. But then, they will just step into another highly paid job
because of the name recognition and contacts they make while doing the
people's business. Let's go back to the year 1800 when politicians
served "without pay" because they wanted to make a difference. The
only difference these folks are making is in their own lives. Shameful!
TrickyD | 8:21 a.m. June 18, 2008
To change a diaper is good. To change your oil is good. To change your socks is
good.
However, to change your brand of deodorant, not necessarily a good change. To change to de-caf Pepsi, big whoop.
In other words, don't change just to change. We government workers are annually evaulated and our work measured against specific standards. If we're not measuring up, our raises are withheld. This market study merely compares our job positions with other job positions around the state. If it's found we're making less than our counterparts, we may be eligible for a raise depending on our productivity. It's never a GIVEN. As a note to the $7.50/hour: maybe you should check what your counterparts at the Mickey D's in Tooele are making and demand a raise too.
However, to change your brand of deodorant, not necessarily a good change. To change to de-caf Pepsi, big whoop.
In other words, don't change just to change. We government workers are annually evaulated and our work measured against specific standards. If we're not measuring up, our raises are withheld. This market study merely compares our job positions with other job positions around the state. If it's found we're making less than our counterparts, we may be eligible for a raise depending on our productivity. It's never a GIVEN. As a note to the $7.50/hour: maybe you should check what your counterparts at the Mickey D's in Tooele are making and demand a raise too.
Lew Jeppson | 8:43 a.m. June 18, 2008
Well Utah County is a Republican fiefdom, like Davis County. Is there anything
Democrats could do to break up this monopoly? How about having the Democratic
candidates for commission posts state how much they would work for. Most would
be willing to come in well under the $108,000 (yikes) annual salaries - or
should I say tribute. We need real price competition in the political realm.
Good | 9:03 a.m. June 18, 2008
It is about time we pay them the same as if they were running any other company.
We need to have competitive wages if we are going to get the caliber of people
we need to run our government. It makes a good sounding board for those who know
nothing about the real world and what it takes to get the job done.
$35,000 | 9:23 a.m. June 18, 2008
These people have increase their salaries by over $35,000 in just seven years.
In 2001, they increased their salaries by 12% just to catch up with Davis and
Weber County. This makes me wonder why Davis and Weber county are raising their
salary levels so much as well?
Lew Jeppson | 9:47 a.m. June 18, 2008
Well, consider Davis County. Commissioner salaries have risen from $45,000 to
$108,000 in the space of ten years. Either they were grossly under-compensated
ten years ago, or they are ripping off now. Which is it? Without a competitive
market, it's hard to know.
Lew Jeppson | 10:18 a.m. June 18, 2008
Seriously, I think candidates for commissioner positions should state their
qualifications and at the same time state what they are willing to work for,
that is, the rate of compensation they will accept. Commissioner salaries
should not be fixed. This would create real price competition.
Love Politicians | 11:40 a.m. June 18, 2008
You gotta love politicians. While these "guys" are voting themselves
a raise (Even Bill Clinton when raising the presidential salary instituted it
after he got out of office) you have Lewis Billings in provo covering the cost
of all of his ill-conceived projects by taking money away from His employees.
Hey Lew | 11:42 a.m. June 18, 2008
The Democrats would only come in and work for less because that is all a
democrat is worth - less than anyone else. It makes up for all the money they
steal out of our pockets.
0802 | 11:46 a.m. June 18, 2008
RE: Good | 9:03 a.m.
Elected officials and government workers should never be paid as much as those running a company or working in civilian management positions. Comparing a management position in government to that of corporate management is like comparing apples to tomatoes.
In business, mangers are responsible for two parts of an equation, revenue and expenses. Ask any manager, controlling expenses is a walk in the park compared to sales. When government has to raise revenue by convincing us to voluntarily give our money, through sales and marketing, in return for services and then manage that revenue through efficient spending, then we can compare them to the corporate world in pay.
I do not think elected officials should have the ability to vote themselves a pay increase. That should be up to the people. We need to find elected officials willing to truly serve the people for a few years rather than career politicians looking for money, power, and prestige.
Elected officials and government workers should never be paid as much as those running a company or working in civilian management positions. Comparing a management position in government to that of corporate management is like comparing apples to tomatoes.
In business, mangers are responsible for two parts of an equation, revenue and expenses. Ask any manager, controlling expenses is a walk in the park compared to sales. When government has to raise revenue by convincing us to voluntarily give our money, through sales and marketing, in return for services and then manage that revenue through efficient spending, then we can compare them to the corporate world in pay.
I do not think elected officials should have the ability to vote themselves a pay increase. That should be up to the people. We need to find elected officials willing to truly serve the people for a few years rather than career politicians looking for money, power, and prestige.
Darren Hardy | 1:40 p.m. June 18, 2008
At a time when people are losing their homes, the County and Schools are raising
taxes, gas prices soaring and food prices increasing, lets add to that burden
and vote ourselves a raise at taxpayers expense. Commissioners you are are a
Disgrace. You are suppose to serve the people in that office, not serve
yourselves. Your pay is well above median income, lets take some more, and
increase your constituents burden!!
Craig | 2:28 p.m. June 18, 2008
After reading the comments posted thus far I might conclude that there will be a
lot of people running for elected offices in the county in two years, but I know
that people will have forgotten by the time the deadline for filing comes
around. How many people contacted the commissioners before the meeting to
explain why they are opposed to the pay raise? There was an article in
yesterday's paper which alerted us to the effort to raise salaries in Utah
County.
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Time to UN-ELECT ALL OF THEM NEXT ELECTION.