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08/02/2007: "CC Subcommittee To Explore Need For “Financial Incentives”"

The question of “financial incentives” as an additional compensation for council members to attend meetings was once again a topic of discussion by the County Council on Tuesday

In the staff meeting on Monday the Council had discussed forming a three member sub-committee to review how the council can best promote their priorities at the state level, and how they should address the question of “financial incentives”. One of the questions that needed an answer was if incentives are needed, how should additional money be provided, and by what authority.

The issue of “financial incentives” was first brought up by Councilman Howard Rosenfeld in April in response to complaints by Councilman Ranker that the travel allowances the Council grants itself were insufficient to pay for his frequent trips on County business. Rosenfeld said the matter needed to be discussed while the current members of the Council were still serving.



Councilman Rich Peterson has been resistant to the idea of incentives beyond what the council members receive as pay, and it appeared that Councilman Alan Lichter agreed with Peterson when he stated that the public would see attempts by the Council to create additional pay, or per diem payments, as “shabby”; and added that if a councilman was unwilling to do the job for the pay they received, “perhaps they should rethink taking that post in the first place”.

When Ranker seemed to imply that the Salary Commission could look at travel costs, Lichter suggested that the Council could increase their travel expenses without going to the Salary Commission, but added that “if the Salary Commission decides that, considering all of the needs for travel and outside contact is necessary, then it is perfectly acceptable for the Salary Commission to make the determination”

Ranker clarified his position by noting that additional compensation had been raised in the past by Councilman Rosenfeld, and that would have to go to the Salary Commission, but agreed that the Council could increase their travel money.

After a prolonged discussion on what a subcommittee would do, Chairman Myhr appointed Knapp, Ranker and Rosenfeld to explore “how can the Council best position itself to be proactive in state and federal matters; and do we need additional compensation”.

Because the Charter allows up to three members of the council to meet in private, the subcommittee is not required to advertise the place and time of their meetings, and may exclude the public from the meetings; if they so choose.