The panel held a hearing on that topic on Tuesday,
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Council on Tuesday held a hearing on a proposal to raise the salaries of the County Executive and members of the County Council. but only one person testified. He was Brent Simmons of Monrovia who was a member of the Compensation Review Commission which recommended the pay raises. He testified against the increase in salaries.
“We continue to financially struggle with funding all the priorities of the county. And the public speaking out, it’s our schools, whether it be the operating budget or the overcrowding or the infrastructure for the schools,” said Simmons.
He also noted that the county doesn’t bring in enough money for pay for schools or other needs. “The property tax bills that our residents pay continue to go up, whether it’s because of the assessments, and including last year, the increase in the property tax rate, and yet it’s still not enough,” Simmons says.
The Commission recommended the County Executive’s salary go up to $162,000 annually, an increase of $25,000 or 18.25 percent. . It also proposed that Council members pay go up to $42,000 per year, a boost of $7,000 or 20 percent. These pay raises would go into effect in December, 2026, when the candidates elected to be County Executive and members of the County Council take their oaths of office.
In his comments, Simmons said local elected officials do work hard for the citizens. “It’s not to say that the County Executive or yourselves deserve that raise. But you don’t deserve it ahead of the priorities of the county,” he said.
But if the raises are approved, Simmons said they should be spread out over the next County Executive and Council members’ four-year terms, and a not a lump sum in the first year.
Council President Brad Young said he and his colleagues are expected to discuss and possibly vote on the proposed salary increases during their meeting next Tuesday.
By Kevin McManus