Good afternoon,
As a follow-up to Amanda Huffman's email yesterday that contained the opinion
of MAC's attorney regarding the salary changes, I wanted to send this
information from Cher Caudel, who was a driving force behind finally getting
salary legislation passed. I know that this is a long-term outlook, but MAPA
and our advocates have been working on a solution for many years...this is a
(big!) step in the process. Salary parity is important, and I appreciate
everyone who has provided input, feedback, and boots-on-the-ground work in this
area! Hope you have a great Tuesday.
This is from Cher:
"I recognize that everyone who will be affected by the new change in the salary
bill is very frustrated! I share your frustration as I worked full time
hovering between 34-39 letters for fourteen years! I was paid about $20,000
per year less than the other elected officials in my county. In 2017 my
letters exceeded the 40 mark based on the old calculation and I was able to be
paid equal to the other elected officials in my county that were paid according
to the assessed valuation. Even though this bill no longer affects me, it has
been a passion of mine to rectify this situation. The first hurdle I faced in
those years I was still under the 40 letters I had to get the people of MAPA to
understand it was necessary. I believe in 2000 was when we were finally able
to be paid a salary as before this we were strictly paid on the fees we
collected. Most of the counties, including my county, were paid well below
even the minimum salary requirements set out by the statute.
A couple of things to remember concerning statute:
First, rarely do you get exactly what you need or even ask for when looking to
change statute. Many times to get somewhere close to what you really need you
have to compromise. We have introduced the salary bill several times with no
letter language at all. That has never gotten any kind of traction so over the
years we have worked diligently to find a compromise that we can live with for
now.
Also, the state cannot mandate spending from a county’s general revenue. This
is an unfunded mandate and even if put in statute it doesn’t have to be
budgeted.
Finally, ALL elected officials salaries are not only governed by the statutes
but also by the constitution. It doesn’t matter what we put into statute, we
are also bound, as are most other county elected officials, by the
constitution. We all took an oath when we took office to uphold the
constitution.
Remember, you are your own best advocate! If you want something to change then
get involved and work towards that change, keeping in mind that there are
always other factors that are often unknown to us as we seek change. We have
to be willing to listen and then work together to find solutions to those
issues we are facing.
I am happy to answer anyone's questions about this and caution them on taking a
salary increase mid-term. Ultimately, they can do what they wish, they may
just have to pay it back if it is questioned. I'm pretty sure based on the
constitution language they would lose any appeal.
Cher"
Danielle L. Boggs, LCSW, NCG
Webster County Public Administrator
101 S. Crittenden, Rm. B5
Marshfield, MO 65706
2022 - 2024 President
Missouri Association of Public Administrators (MAPA)
Phone: (417) 468-2135
Fax: (417) 468-2651
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