Ehlmann says pay raises not appropriate

January 21, 2010
St. Charles County, MO

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann informed County Council members that he will veto any bill setting pay raises for the seven elected officials: Director of Elections, Recorder of Deeds, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Collector, Assessor and County Executive.

At its January 11 meeting, the Council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would have, if approved, given salary increases of 11.8 percent beginning next January to whoever is elected in November to the seven posts. The Council is responsible for setting these salaries for four-year terms.

“I normally don’t take a position on bills until the Council has had a chance to discuss them and act on them,” Ehlmann said. “But this has to be done by February 1, and I wanted the Council to know my position before the next meeting (Monday, January 25).”

“We have a very tight budget, and we’re asking our department directors to cut expenses. And we were not able to give across-the-board pay increases to our employees this year,” Ehlmann said. “It’s just not appropriate to give increases to elected officials, including the County Executive.

Ehlmann recommended salaries be set the same as they were four years ago.