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Wheeler
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Spotsy official gets big pay raise
Spotsylvania county administrator gets 23 percent pay raise
Date published: 7/12/2007
By DAN TELVOCK
Spotsylvania supervisors voted late Tuesday night to increase the county administrator's base salary by 23 percent, which makes him one of the highest-paid government executives in the region.
They came out of closed session shortly before midnight Tuesday and unanimously agreed to pay County Administrator Randy Wheeler a base salary of $173,265.12. His previous base was $140,456.
Supervisors said Wheeler performs under immense pressure in a county experiencing growing pains and they want to keep him so the county has stability for years to come.
"He's done an excellent job," said Chairman Chris Yakabouski. "He's also been underpaid in my opinion when you compare him to other localities."
Wheeler was hired in December 2003 at a salary of $125,000. Before that, he was the deputy county administrator in Fauquier County.
The vote Tuesday didn't change any other benefit in Wheeler's contract, which includes annuity and a monthly car allowance. Although Wheeler signed a two-year contract to June 30, 2009, his pay could increase again next year, supervisors said. The amount of his other benefits weren't readily available.
Supervisors also agreed to pay County Attorney Jacob Stroman $141,890 in base salary. The new salaries were retroactive to July 1.
"In order for us to make sure we keep him, we need to pay him more money," said Supervisor Emmitt Marshall. "The same thing happened with the county attorney. When he came here, his salary was $119,000. I thought he did a pretty good job, so we gave him a pretty good salary."
Supervisors gave mixed messages about whether they were trying to bring Wheeler's salary specifically more in line with school Superintendent Jerry Hill, whose base salary is $175,500. Marshall said Hill's salary is actually above $200,000 when benefits are added, but that could not be confirmed last night on deadline.
"How do you justify a superintendent of the schools drawing over $200,000 and a county administrator making about $141,000? It just didn't sound right to me," Marshall said.
Supervisor Vince Onorato said he didn't use Hill's salary as a comparison.
Read more stories about Spotsylvania
Date published: 7/12/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Questions to contemplate....
(posted by
want2knowy
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
We have employess who have given 10-15-20-25-30+ years of their life to this county and make less than Wheeler's ONE year increase! And he has put in HOW MUCH TIME.....4 years????
In a meeting this year he wanted to take away our COLA and create a Pay Per Performance package (which could backfire on dedicated employees who may not brownnose their Supervisors enough)?
Wonder what funding the BOS "borrowed" or "stole" from to make this generous offer to keep him??
The Amount of Increase
(posted by
want2knowy
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I cannot beleive that the Board Of Supervisors would allow such a huge amount of increase just to keep an employee happy and around! I guess uit must pay to threaten to leave for greener pastures. Regardless of the stress of the job (which he knowingly took on) the BOS should walk around and see other OTHER 900+ employees who ALSO on a DAILY basis take on upset customers with SMILES...and we get 4.5%??? Shame on the BOS!
Vote and Let your Voice be Heard!
(posted by
jayem
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
The recent 23% pay raise that was given to the Spotsylvania County Administrator shows that the current Board of Supervisors have no concern for the workers or the citizens of this county. There are people that have been dedicated and loyal to this county for years and what have they done to reward them. Things will only get worst if the Pay for Performance is implemented. The Pay for Performance will allow a workplace boss to control all pay incenitives.
Let your Voices be heard on November 6th. Vote
If the pay is too low
(posted by
werstenz
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
The only way to raise the pay is to refuse to accept the jobs. This is how they justify the big raises (they will go elsewhere) Well if we had no teachers, deputies or fire fighters because they were working elsewhere the pay would go up to attract and retain the best (like the BEST administration we have now) Ho Ho Ho
Your funny FredTaylor
(posted by
pudpop2
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
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