Good thing the county had an opt-out, otherwise there would be no raises for the part-time commissioners

Am I the only one that catches the Minnehaha County Commissioners in constant contradictions?

Signaling Minnehaha County’s emergence from several years of budget austerity, county commissioners voted themselves a pay raise Wednesday.

The county has turned the corner on a period of “economic dire straits,” according to Commissioner John Pekas.

Okay, so just a few months ago we had to have an opt-out because of the increasing number of prosecutions, but now all of a sudden we have ‘turned a corner.’ Huh? Is Mayor Huether running the county commission also?

8 comments ↓

#1 Testor15 on 01.03.13 at 1:45 pm

Gosh it just wouldn’t look right if they got their raise too soon.

#2 John on 01.03.13 at 2:30 pm

No elected official should ever be allowed to vote themselves a pay raise for the term they serve. Instead pay raises for politicians, judges, etc., should take effect in the subsequent term regardless of whom we the people select to serve.

#3 Detroit Lewis on 01.03.13 at 4:33 pm

John, I agree, I think that is how the city council does it.

#4 cr on 01.03.13 at 4:36 pm

According to the 2013 budget, each commissioner was scheduled to receive a $170 pay raise.

They vote in favor of an opt-out…………

AND, now that $170 pay raise suddenly becomes a $1,822 increase!!!!!!

#5 Detroit Lewis on 01.03.13 at 10:36 pm

It’s no shame day down at the county administration building. Join in.

#6 pathloss on 01.06.13 at 4:52 pm

The Minnehaha County Republicans office is in Lincoln County. It’s in the Sunday Argus. This shows how ignorant politicians are. Next thing, Huether will serve a 2nd term as mayor from his home 20 miles out of town. The Argus is $2 on Sundays. I found this copy at the airport. Ill never buy another copy.

#7 Detroit Lewis on 01.06.13 at 11:28 pm

Manny ‘In Denial’ Steele also lives in Lincoln County. Someone needs to take him in for a Cat Scan or something.

#8 Craig on 01.07.13 at 3:23 pm

Personally I think if the county is in opt-out mode, there should be a freeze on pay raises. Period.

If they are saying they can’t balance the budget without going back to ask for a second helping of tax dollars, then the last thing they should do is vote themselves a pay raise.

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