From Harford County government:
Harford County Executive David R. Craig has announced the proposed budget for Harford County for FY 2013. The proposed budget keeps the County’s tax rate of $1.042, below the Constant Yield for the second consecutive year.
“This budget was crafted by adhering to sound fiscal management policies that keep our County operating within its means with no increase in taxes”, County Executive Craig stated. “The budget reflects a balanced approach to governing, the realities of a fragile economy and the priorities of our community”, Craig added.
For the fourth consecutive year, the budget does not include pay raises or cost-of-living adjustments for County employees. However, the budget also does not require furloughs, layoffs or shift in health care or pension costs.
The total proposed FY 2013 budget for all funds is $742,686,935. Of that $618,303,679 is dedicated to the Operating Budget and $124,383,256 is allocated to the Capital Budget. Approximately 75 cents of every General Fund dollar is allocated to education and public safety.
The proposed FY 2013 budget includes nearly $1 million above Maintenance of Effort to the Board of Education. Additionally, Harford County Government is preparing for what will be the first in a series of significant cost shifts of teacher’s pensions from the State of Maryland.
Depending upon final action of the Maryland General Assembly, the projected impact in FY 2013 could range from $3.2 million to $9.8 million.
With respect to Public Safety, the budget includes an additional $123,000 to fund operational costs for the new Southern Precinct of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, as well as $4.2 million to improve communications technology and interoperability among public safety agencies.
Furthermore an additional $400,000 has been allocated to the EMS Foundation to support emergency medical service providers as they meet the growing demand in calls for service. The proposed FY 2013 Capital Budget also includes $20 million to construct a new Emergency Operations Center which has been in the planning for several years.
In keeping with his commitment of enhancing public safety the County Executive has included $2,647,814 for the EMS Foundation and $6,809,642 for the volunteer fire service. Furthermore, the Capital Budget includes $500,000 for an addition to House 3 of the Susquehanna Hose Company in Havre de Grace.
In addition to the investments in public safety and education, the budget proposal includes funding for infrastructure improvements for roads and bridges. This includes $5.6 million for resurfacing of the County’s 630 plus miles of asphalt roads and $2.9 million for fifteen bridge improvement projects.
In an effort to prioritize future capital infrastructure investments to meet the increased demands for service and enhancing quality of life for the citizens of Harford County, $1.25 million has been provided to develop a Countywide Facilities Master Plan. The proposed Facilities Master Plan will include projects of the Board of Education, Harford County Public Library, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Countywide Facilities Master Plan will help establish a roadmap for the County to properly plan for future capital infrastructure projects.
“Overall this budget reflects a balance of the many divergent wants and needs of our community, and our ability to provide for those wants and needs through the taxes our citizens pay”, remarked County Executive Craig. The proposed FY 2013 budget reflects our collective values while continuing the tradition of sound financial management,” Craig stated.
“The proposed FY 2013 Capital Budget also includes $20 million to construct a new Emergency Operations Center which has been in the planning for several years.” Do we need a $20,000,000 boondoggle when our schools are falling apart?
Just so we are clear…There is not enough money to pay county workers their fair wage but we’ve got $20,000,000 to build an “Emergency Operations Center” which will sit vacant and unused at least 90% of the year. There is not enough money to fix our schools so kids will enter safe and healthy learning environments every day but there is enough to build Dave Craig a $20,000,000 bunker/playhouse.
Is it really just for his enjoyment? Will Craig still be in office when this is completed?
I’m sure he will invite some of the good ole boys over to play house…
In your haste to post another snarky reply/insult directed at Craig, I believe that you neglected to answer my question. Leave the humor to Tom Myers. (Hahaha! – now THAT’S funny!)
I hope the county council shuts it down and it does not get built at all.
I can’t believe I am saying this, but I agree with Burbey
This is not a conservative budget, it is a tribute to cronyism.
I have worked for the county over 10 years. Everything costs more, from gas to milk. What are you thinking Mr. Craig? Most of your employees just keep their head above water. I live a modest lifestyle and am struggling. For the record, it has been over 5 years since a pay increase.
YBES has lead in their water, and their roof leaks and caves into the classrooms. Yea, we need a $20,000,000 xpac to the current EOC. Is EOC so dysfunctional that it needs a brand new state of the art facility? Better add a full string orchestra to this building, so you can keep up with Southern Precinct.
Sorry you have to hitchhike to work Mr. Employee, but look at all of your brand new telephones!
This isn’t Simville, though you have treated it as such. Game over……….Next player please.
Jeff, It is ridiculous that you and the rest of the county get nothing for your service, save an occasional one time bonus which won’t count towards your retirement and is taxed at a higher rate. Since renovations were just done in 2009, it seems strange that they are junking the place.
I just had the opportunity to visit Edgewood Middle School this past week. The school is filthy and rather dismal to the eye. I saw mice droppings in several areas of the school and was told that the administration has been alerted to this infestation since the fall. I feel bad for the students and staff that have to work in this unhealthy and decaying environment. At the least, these teachers need a boost in salary just to help lift their spirits.
In addition, just a note about the dress code policy. I observed exposed midriffs and boxer shorts. Let’s enforce the HCPS dress code policy. One teacher was speaking directly with a male student about a behavioral issue and not even alerting the student to exposed black boxer and jeans significantly below the gentlemen’s waistline.
If he were a gentleman there would not be a need to alert him to his attire. It is what it is. I have been in some very old and historic buildings/homes in Harford County. None had mice droppings that I could see, and none were filthy. It is what it is.
Ryan,
Why would the Emergency Operations center sit vacant 90% of the year. That building is occupied 365/24/7. Not only is the Emergency Operations center it is also the 911 dispatch Center, the Harford County Hazmat team location, and the building that houses the public Safety radio system (which all Harford County First Responders Use). It is also where Not sure where you got your information from but it is way off base.
My mistake. I was under the false assumption that only the emergency operation were conducted there. However, it does not change the ridiculousness of this allocation. 911 works. In these “tough times” do we need a new $20,000,000 boondoggle?
You make way too many assumptions
Ryan Burbey is wrong about the EOC. That building is staffed 24/7. It is where your 911 calls get answered. Rumor has it the roof has major leaks. If that’s true, a storm could knock out the wiring at 911. That would not be good. Also, I might be wrong but I’m thinking the 20 mill is a bond or loan amount and not a cash on hand amount.
Hey, the roofs at several schools leak…Let’s patch’r up. We don’t need a $20,000,000 boondoggle.
“The Division of Emergency Operations during an emergency or disaster operates and staffs the Harford County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC is a command and control center where representatives from Harford County government and its agencies as well as the State of Maryland, the local municipalities, and other vital agencies and organization continue to run the government and direct resources for responses and recovery operations during an emergency or disaster.”
This would seem to indicate that the structure will primarily used in emergencies…
Burbey, get your facts correct. The emergency operations center is used 24/7. All 911 calls and other emergencies go through there. If the Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant or some other emergency occurs, you will be damm glad that they are operating in the best facility possible. You are so opinionated and indoctrinated that you have lost your God given sense. You should be pissed off that you and the HCEA/MSTA leadership screwed up instead of being vindictive toward David Craig. I was in education in this county for 32 years, and if you were the President of the HCEA, I would have given up my membership.
Why does it need to be replaced? It is less than twenty years old. If its roof leaks fix it.
Burbey, get your facts correct. The emergency operations center is used 24/7. All 911 calls and other emergencies go through there. If the Peach Bottom Nuclear Plant or some other emergency occurs, you will be damn glad that they are operating in the best facility possible. You are so opinionated and indoctrinated that you have lost your God given sense. You should be pissed off that you and the HCEA/MSTA leadership screwed up instead of being vindictive toward David Craig. I was in education in this county for 32 years, and if you were the President of the HCEA, I would have given up my membership.
If Peach Botton goes boom, I am screwed. I live at the end of a one way evacuation route. As to the res, I see no evidence that the 911 system does not work. I also see no evidence that we need a system upgrade. How much each year should we dedicate to redundant construction projects?
To infer that we should wait for a 911 failure to take action is ludicrous. Do you want YOUR call for assistance to be the one that breaks it? The emergency communications in our county is EVERY bit as vital as the education system. If the CE and council did not take action to make sure that it was in good condition and there was a massive failure, the same posters that are calling it a ‘boondoggle’ would be calling for them to be prosecuted for dereliction of duty, or worse if lives were lost due to services not being available.
I understand that County workers are frustrated. As I have mentioned in other posts, I work in the private sector, and I am frustrated too. I think that some of the reactions tend to lean toward emotion without the application of common sense.
I guess I would have to ask a few serious questions to which if one has serious answers I would enjoy hearing.
1) What exactly is wrong with the current building which is relatively young?
2) If it is in disrepair as has been suggested what would the cost of fixing it be?
3) Why was it allowed to fall into disrepair in the first place?
4) What will become of the old building and land?
“A new Harford County Emergency Communications Center was completed in May 1998.”
Seems like it should still be in good shape. Many of our schools are more than 40 years old. We aren’t replacing them. Why would we replace this?
Burbey, Schools are old such as Aberdeen HS, Bel Air HS, Edgewood HS, North Harford HS, Bel Air ES, Red Pump ES, etc. Not to mention the number that have be renovated. During Craig’s administration, it has been the largest capital spending in the history of Harford County. What do you teach? You spew garbage.
North Harford High construction date 1950
Bel Air Elementary construction date 1984
Both of these were built before 1998…Why do we need to replace abuilding that is less than 20 years old. If in twenty years we are going to build another Emergency Boondoggle, that will be a 1 million per year cost, not including debt servicing. This is one of the most unscrupulous decisions ever.
Aberdeen Middle School construction date 1973
Edgewood Middle School construction date 1965
Havre de Grace Middle School construction date 1967
Magnolia Middle School construction date 1979
Which do you think needs more repair or renovation a structure just built in 1998 or the schools above?
4 years without a raise. Thank you Mr. Craig
Don’t stand for it Bill…Tell the county council that this is not acceptable!
Burbey, do you realize how you turn off the citizens of this county who know facts? If you are going to represent teachers, please do a better job.
Don’t care if i turn people off. When I am representing teachers I’ll let you know. Right now I am exercising my rights as a citizen.
@Ryan Burbey
It’s obvious you don’t care if you turn people off and you do it so well. You have every right as a citizen to exercise your right to be a jerk.
Exercising your rights… OK, here’s a test for Ryan. If the teachers formed a true union, would you support the right of teachers to not join and not have to pay any money to an organization that they do not wish to be a part of?
Actually, let’s take this one step further – do you support the right of any worker to choose not to join a union and have zero dollars from their paycheck, or should citizens be forced to join private organizations as a condition of employment?
Phil, that is exactly the situation with teachers in MD. No one is required to join the union. I believe that is the law in MD for all unions. It is a difficult situation. Should members of the union be expected to pay for the negotiations which everyone benefits? Shouldn’t everyone who benefits be expected to contribute? A lot of hay is made about union priorities. However, HCEA and MSEA are basically one trick ponies. We want and advocate for better schools for both teachers and kids. We are not partisan.
Ryan,
Maryland is not a right to work state, meaning if the shop is a union one, you are forced to join. In fact, State Employees who do not join the union still have to pay dues to the Union thanks to Governor O’Malley.
I can not speak for other unions but Teacher unions must get legislative approval to charge agency fee to non-members. Most do not have this. As to right to work, given that strikes are prohibited and MD is an At-Will state, it seems moot.
In Maryland, employees work “at the will” of their employers. This means, in the absence of an express contract, agreement or policy to the contrary, an employee may be hired or fired for almost any reason — whether fair or not — or for no reason at all.
As much as it pains me to back up anything that Ryan says, teachers aren’t currently forced to pay union dues and join the union. When that shoe does drop I will be leaving HCPS.
Ryan-To say that the HCEA is nonpartisan is the most absurd thing I have ever heard in my entire life.
“Harford County is one of top 25 counties in the nation in employment and wage gains, according to a new federal Bureau of Labor Statistics report.
The average weekly wage in Harford County in the second quarter of 2011 was $890.
The increase “puts us as the third fastest growing weekly wage gaining county in the nation,” Richardson said Thursday. “That means there is more money in Harford County’s economy for circulation. Instead of the average citizen buying say, mac and cheese, they may be buying franks and beans, chicken and salad. It puts more in your disposable income.”
Harford also had the largest employment gain in Maryland, up 2.8 percent from June 2010 to June 2011.”
Unless you are a county worker, sheriff, teacher or other public servant…
I agree with you. The Sheriff’s office hasn’t had a raise in 5 yrs. But they can come up with $20 million dollars for a new EOC. How about paying the people who keep the county safe.
@Ryan Burbey
In the event the emergency center is not replaced doesn’t mean we give the money, which is likely to be borrowed, to the school district.
In fact the emergency center has nothing to do with the school budgeting process. And it is disingenuous of you to assert that it does.
The money all comes from the same pot.
Ryan do you know this? I looked for a detailed copy of the County budget, but I don’t think it has been posted yet. I believe this was just the “announcement” of the budget (normal, and similar to what Paul Ryan did in the House last week, announced with no details to scrutinize)
County budgets are comprised of funds from various sources, most notably the State and Federal government, and many times those funds are ear marked or flagged for particular uses, ie, grants, etc.
So how do we know the County is paying all $20 million? Maybe there is a DHS appropriation for $10 Million for a project like this since we have a base in the County.
I’m asking because I can’t see how we know where this money is coming from at this point, and what all the fuss is about.
It’s very similar to people who freaked out about the price tag of the proposed Arts center in Abingdon when there are no details about the financing of the project, but yet everyone was complaining about the County spending that much money on it. Essentially, people getting all worked up about things with little facts to talk about it.
If you have found that these funds come directly from the County, please provide a link to substantiate that.
Otherwise, call me when it happens.
Noble, I agree with you. Unfortunately, Ryan jumps to a lot of conclusions very quickly. Have you noticed how many times he has been corrected on this site. As an educator, and a former educator myself, the HCEA is run by this kind of individual. Someone who is liberal, most likely socialist, and whines non-stop about the treatment of teachers, no matter what the economy is doing. He and some others are mad at Craig for the bonus deal and are seeking revenge. Poor Ryan spends his day on this site. Teachers do deserve a raise, so do deputies, and so do county employees. David Craig was a teacher, he understands their situation. But, he also has the entire county and its multitude of services to provide while having a legislature that doesn’t mind dropping its responsibilities on the backs of local governments. Yes, Harford County has a surplus-thank God. The pension shift alone will cost our county approx. 8 million dollars more. I don’t know what Ryan teaches, but I hope it isn’t math or economics.
I am not currently running anything. As I have stated multiple times, I am speaking for myself, private citizen. You can count on one hand the time I have actually been corrected with facts on this site. The EOC was an honest mistake. However, I would be curious to note how much of the building is in use daily. I also admit any factual error, which is more than I can say for most.
Unless it is private funding, I still pay federal, state, county and city tax. If the county gets federal or state tax dollars to cover it, I am still paying for it. I really don’t think many people get that point. If our fiscal house and/or the economic conditions are so bad that we must again tell the workforce to tighten their belts for another year, then we should not be spending millions of tax dollars on purchases that can wait until economic and fiscal conditions improve. I am a small government fiscal conservative, but I have a problem with even the perception from this county executive and county government that he/they have a priority system that would seem to place such little value on fellow taxpayers and voters and such a high value on more purchases of “things”. From reading these posts, it seems that we don’t have the money now to maintain the “things” that we have already purchased.
The other problem with more “things” is that the debt servicing impacts future budgets and further restricts funding to important programs like education.
I get that. What some other people don’t seem to get is that the Federal government is going to spend the money. If the budget is approved, the grant is developed, and the Federal funds are just waiting for whoever to take them and use for a specific purpose, somebody is going to take them. Contrary to popular belief, the Federal govt doesn’t just hand out money. Much of it is tied to specific purposes and used only for those purposes. Whether Harford County MD gets to use them or Pasadena CA, is determined either by a grant system or by vote of Congress.
In my book, since they ARE my tax dollars, I would expect my County to go after Federal funds that are already available and use them for the benefit of my community, rather than allow another entity to take them.
Go to the county website. The entire budget, as well as, the budget in brief is there.
Thanks for the update Ryan. When I looked earlier this week it was not posted.
It’s proposed to be paid for with a $20M county bond.
Have at it my friend.
That is again $20,000,000, we don’t have that will incur more debt servicing which will further limit other vital funding. Why not take a $20,000,000 bond to fix all the schools?
Every dollar that is spent on debt service for one of Mr. Craig’s personal, political-self-interest, developer charity projects is a dollar that can’t be spent responsibly on the children and citizens of Harford County. To my knowledge the county still hasn’t paid the debt from the last $5,000,000 renovation of EOC just two years ago.
the CE’s refusal to fund the county’s workforce a full salary increase, steps or cola’s by not following the constant yield means only that the county does have the funds to pay for the DESERVED and CONTRACTED raises due to employees, HCPS and Sheriff’s Office because CE is really looking to run for Governor in the near future. So employees are now pawns in a political game of who can keep taxes low and get away with not paying the county’s employees their bargained raises. I urge all current employees to show up at the council meetings and demand that employees are given the same consideration as buildings, roads and special projects which the CE and county council seem to have no trouble funding.
Does anyone know how much in additional funds the county would raise if the CE followed the constant yield? Does this mean the next CE will have to raise the constant yield to make up for postponed projects or employee salary increases to maintain and attract a quality workforce?
The next County Executive will be stepping into a steaming pile of David Crag’s Poop…
We are below the constant yield because of two factors, the state not funding its share of budget items and the housing assessments being higher then in some cases the value of the house. Remaining with the constant yield would be a large tax hike on many of us, or are we not speaking frankly about this issue.
We are below the constant yield by CHOICE, the fact that assessments are lower than value or that value is lower than assessments is just not true. the constant yield follows the rule of obtaining the same revenue year after year from property assessments. It was created to guard against high valuations one year to lower valuations the next year. To keep the revenue stream CONSTANT. When the CE refuses to follow it two things can happen, either the county gets less or it gets more $$$ from assessments. The CE can’t claim to the state that the county can’t afford shifts in pension and road construction when the county itself refuses to take in less than what the law allows. The truth is that assessments have gone down the past 4 years and most people are paying less in property taxes than 4 years ago while employees are not given raises, while the county has a $30 million surplus and while teachers have frozen out of the bargaining process with their employer. True reductions in services will have to occur for the taxpayer to actually feel the loss of services to show that you can’t get the same service for less money year after year.
frankly speaking –
I think you hit the nail on the head – “True reductions in services will have to occur for the taxpayer to actually feel the loss of services to show that you can’t get the same service for less money year after year.”
Increase class size, charge for athletics, eliminate music programs, and GT programs. Then and only then will pressure be brought to bear on our elected official to fund education at a higher level.
For years we heard people saying the fiscal responsible thing to do was the Constant Yield. Some of the same people want to ignore it? Why?
Anyone want to field this????
I have to guess that by the nature of your question, you don’t understand constant yield. don’t feel bad, hardly anyone does. Constant yield is a state generated number, for all subdivisions, that tell the budget folks what tax rate they would need in order to get exactly the same real estate tax income for this year as for the last. It is a fairly arbitrary number and has no relationship to any fiscal reality.
I am well aware of how it works Mr. Nasney. The county has chosen not to follow the constant yield. In past years when gas prices were lower, the county chose not to follow it and now that gas prices are higher the same rationale applies? In what economic model do you live in? Do you keep doing your job, working harder and getting paid less? The CE stated that “some people with be getting promotions but no raises”. That goes contrary to any private market model in which if you do more, take on more, then you should be paid more.
From the 2009 Budget in Brief, “The County places a priority on recruiting and retaining the best employees to serve the citizens of Harford County. To that end we contracted a comprehensive compensation study to ensure that employee salaries are in line with the regional job market. The last study and salary adjustment was completed in 2002. After careful review and analysis, the Approved Fiscal Year 2009 Operating Budget provides for a wage package consisting of a 3% COLA and a 3% Merit increase for all eligible staff, as well as a 3% Classification and Pay Market adjustment for eligible staff. This market adjustment is the third phase in our goal to provide compensation which is comparable to government employees within this region.
Studies had been conducted for Teachers and staff of the Harford County Public School System and implemented in FY 2006 and FY 2007; and then in FY 2008 for deputized Sheriff staff. It is my intention to contract studies for Teachers, Deputies, and our staff on a four year cyclical basis to ensure fair and competitive compensation, with funding adjustments not as costly as when done in a less timely fashion.”
Can anyone say two faced?
Harford County just spent $5,000,000 on renovating the emergency operations center in 2009.
County Executive Craig’s refrain of “fragile economy” needs an update. How many people took note of the Baltimore Sun article from March 15, “Harford ranks among best counties for employment gains?”
(http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/harford/news/community/ph-ag-edab-0316-20120315,0,7841225.story)
The article paints a different picture of the county. According to county Economic Development Director Jim Richardson, Harford County “was the third fastest county in the U.S., and first in the state, in over-the-year wage growth, increasing 8.8 percent from the second quarter of 2010 to second quarter 2011.” Richardson goes on to say “”That means there is more money in Harford County’s economy for circulation.” I’m no economist, but doesn’t this add to the revenue stream? If the county is doing so well, according to its own officials, how can they say otherwise and continue to deny raises to their employees? These same employees who “tightened their belts” when the economy was truly “fragile?” Read the article and decide for yourself. Seems to me something’s fishy.
I can’t speak for any other group, but as far as teachers, and school sytem employees go it has hit rock bottom. I am glad I have a job, but no raises, and the way we are treated now you just wonder how long people are going to take it.
Some good young teachers have never gotten a raise. Why wouldn’t they leave to go somewhere else where they are paid for their experience.
I know no one wants taxes raised, but if you are sending your kids to school the effect could begin to hit home. Teachers, and school employees are being asked to do more for less. Every year health insurance goes up, pension goes up, etc. So we are not making the same as we were years ago. Look the bonus will be nice, but it isn’t the same.
Someone already said it Craig is setting himself up to run for another office. His campaign will be the following I saved millions, and held a tight budget. Meanwhile the county he left will be in shambles. HCPS is in trouble, and I hate to say this but it feels like a sinking ship.
I used to tell young people harford county was a great place to work. I can no longer say that, and that really bothers me.
get used to it. nobody has any money. public employees, fed, state, local all have targets painted on them now. teachers can at least strike, the rest of us are screwed.
Teachers cannot strike. However, if county workers unionized they could…
Ryan is wrong again. County worker’s can’t strike. Check the code.
I stand corrected. Workers in Md have few rights than I thought.
14.30.07.02
.02 Unfair Labor Practices—Employee Organizations.
A. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, the following acts by an employee organization, or its agents or representatives, are unfair labor practices:
(1) Interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of rights under the Collective Bargaining Law;
(2) Causing, or attempting to cause, an employer to discriminate in hiring, tenure, or any term or condition of employment to encourage or discourage membership in any employee organization;
(3) Engaging in, inducing, or encouraging any person to engage in a strike, which includes the following types of activities by employees when intended to induce, influence, coerce, or enforce demands for a change in wages, hours, terms, or other conditions of employment:
(a) Refusal or failure to report to work;
(b) Refusal or failure to perform employment duties;
(c) Withdrawal from work;
(d) Work stoppage;
(e) Work slowdown; or
(f) Other concerted job action;
(4) Interfering with the statutory duties of the State or an employer; or
(5) If an exclusive representative:
(a) Refusing to bargain collectively in good faith; or
(b) Not fairly representing employees in collective bargaining or any other matter for which the employee organization has the duty of fair representation.
B. Where statutory language addresses issues in this chapter, the statutory provisions shall take precedence over this chapter.
Ryan is correct – teachers can’t strike in Maryland. Please try to get your facts straight, before you post. Actually, if you invested when many investments were dirt cheap over the last few years, you should have done very well and probably are doing fine. You know something must be really rotten in county government because Ryan is getting support and making some good points.
Burbey and decoydude, your implication makes no sense. Decoydude, don’t be led astray by socialist rantings. He is pissed off because Craig called the HCEA/MSTA decision not to take the bonuses that were offered. We have many services that need to be funded, just like you and I do in our personal life. You do what you can afford.
If I am pissed about anything, it is that my children have been expected to suffer and will continue to suffer in schools that are underfunded while, King Davy plays his little monopoly game funneling my tax dollars to redundant projects and his cronies pockets.
@Ryan Burbrey
I do feel sorry for your children…since they have you as father.
Patrick, I believe personal attacks such as this are over the line of respectability.
@Ryan Bubrey –
You promote the virtues of victimhood, spew the vileness of envy and take the acts of prevaricating and misinforming to new heights. This is what, by your example, you teach your children and your students.
You have every right to espouse your opinions, but there are consequences which include the impact of your actions on your children and your students.
Sir, you are a lout and a an unscrupulous scoundrel. I have made not attempts at misinformation. What’s more, to assert that I ascribe to a value of victimization,etc. is ludicrous. I teach, by example, activism. For you to assert that my students or my children should in any way be affected by my civic participation is at its very root unethical. I would suggest that rather than bully you assert facts for your allegations and leave my family and students out of any arguments we might have with each other.
@Monster -I believe there is a saying about even a blind squirrel finding an acorn occasionally? I am an “unaffiliated” regular voter who calls them as I see them and often anger Democrats and Republicans quite regularly. I rarely agree with Ryan, but I do this time with one or two of his points. I really could care less about his politics or yours. I am a college educated fiscal conservative, who favors smaller but more effective government. I also believe that investing in educating our future workforce is a wise investment that is vital to our national security. However, the public school system in this country has some serious issues, but unlike the career politicians, I don’t claim to have all the viable solutions.
I only wish our county leadership believed in investing in education…
Fact: Sheila Watkins, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Mid-Atlantic regional commissioner, noted that Harford County recorded the largest employment gain in Maryland, up 2.8 percent over the year.
Fact: Four of Maryland’s eight large counties recorded wage increases larger than the national advance of 3.0 percent from the second quarter of 2010 to the second quarter of 2011. The wage advances in two of these counties ranked in the top 30 among the 322 largest counties in the U.S., with Harford County placing 3rd nationally and 1st in the state of Maryland with a wage gain of 8.8%.
Estimate: If Harford County Employees and HCPS workers have received a 0% wage increase over the past 3 years it would appear that “private sector” wages increased by over 10% over the past quarter.
If memory serves me correctly, I believe that over the course of the past 3 years many Harford County citizens within the “private sector” told Harford County workers and HCPS employees that they needed to “pitch in” and “help out” during those difficult economic times. County and HCPS employees were told that people were “hurting out in the real world.” So, those “public” sector employees went without their negotiated pay raises. They “pitched in” and “helped out”. Well, apparently Harford County is now one of the most economically healthy places in the United States (for the private sector). So, if the public employees sacrificed during the lean times, shouldn’t they benefit with their neighbors when the times are good?
It can’t be a one way street. If ALL Harford County residents are expected to sacrifice together, then logic would dictate that ALL Harford County residents should reap the rewards of the good economic times.
Of course employment rates and household income are going to go up, the federal government moved over 15,000 jobs to Harford County in 2011 as part of BRAC. Almost all of those workers are technical degreed specialties such as engineers or scientists, coming from New Jersey or Virginia, with the higher salaries to match. They’re affecting the housing market and all of the labor statistics, making it appear that Harford is recovering but how many blue collar jobs are being added, or how many people already living in Harford are able to take advantage of the BRAC jobs?
The economy is still in the toilet, BRAC is just hiding the effects locally.
OK, so now no public employee can get a COLA or a previously negotiated salary step increase until all of the “blue collar” employees have jobs. Alright, let’s see if we can take a crack at this.
I believe that Kohl’s opened a new warehouse in which 1,200 new jobs were created and was operational during all 3 shifts (http://www.daggerpress.com/2011/03/29/kohls-closes-on-edgewood-distribution-center-will-bring-1200-jobs-to-area/ ).
Also, it appears as though the Wegmans in Abingdon also brought 600 jobs to Harford County (http://www.daggerpress.com/2011/03/29/wegmans-to-recruit-600-for-new-bel-air-store-beginning-april-1/ ).
So, to answer your original question of “How many blue collar jobs are being added?” I believe the answer would be around 1,800, by these two companies alone. If you read the articles provided with the links you will see that this influx of 1,800 new “Blue Collar” jobs to Harford County took place nearly one year ago. It would seem as though this influx of 1,800 new jobs over the past year was part of the increase in employment and wages that were referenced in the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Mid-Atlantic Regional Report.
In addition, I would first think that the office buildings that are currently under construction in Aberdeen/Riverside would be employing “Blue Collar” workers, thus adding to the 1,800 job total, as well as restaurants and convenience stores along the routes in and out the BRAC workplaces. In addition, we could also discuss the uptick in consumer purchases by those with nearly 10% more wages at businesses that traditionally employ “blue collar workers” (ie: automobile, home improvements, retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, etc.).
My final thought will deal with the entirety of your question, “how many blue collar jobs are being added, or how many people already living in Harford are able to take advantage of the BRAC jobs?” If the majority of the 15,000 jobs have been filled by residents from NJ and/or VA (outside of Harford County) then I would think that these 15,000 families would be creating an absolute BOOM within the home construction industry, which traditionally employees many blue collar workers. But, if many of the 15,000 jobs are being filled by “people already living in Harford County” then this would also mean that the Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ Mid-Atlantic Regional Report was quite accurate.
Now, I am not ignorant to the fact that individuals, or small groups of people, may be having a difficult time. Unfortunately, that is a function of a free market economy. No matter how robust the economy may be, the principles of capitalism dictate that there will always be individuals who will struggle financially. But I fear that I must disagree with your assertion that the Harford County “economy is still in the toilet.” In fact, it is far from it.
Tony, you should get in contact with me.
To deny that Harford County has a strong economy and available jobs is to deny reality. Look in the want ads. Look around at the development. 15,000 federal jobs has brought economic stimulus to Harford County. These workers spend their money in local businesses, thus they stimulate growth.
@Ryan Burbey
Tell that malarkey to people who are upside down on their mortgage, are underemployed and unemployed.
You state “15,000 federal jobs has brought economic stimulus to Harford County” as though this unsubstantiated statistic of en-migration into Harford County is a fact, prove it!
From the Harford County Dept. of Economic Development:
HousingMarketRebounding
– 56% Increase in Properties “under contract” and/or “marked contingent” from January to April – a 40% increase from the same time frame in 2009
– Number of New Listings rose from 413 in the month of January to 620 in the month of April
– Houses spent an average of 28 days less on the market from October 2009 to April 2010 compared to October 2008 to April 2009
• Mediandisposableincomegrowingfrom $73,000 to $83,000
From 2005-2010 Over 160 New or Expanding Business Projects resulting in over $1.2 Billion in new investment and the creation of over 5,380 new jobs
• This DOES NOT include new employment numbers related to growth on APG which will be an additional 8,200 positions or the job growth in the defense contractor community which is estimated to be about 10,000 additional positions (2010-2015)
32 New Defense Contractors Moved to Harford County
From a retail side, he said, the wage increase speaks volumes.
“More disposable income brings in a new, different group of retail providers to serve the county,” Richardson said, citing DSW and Home Goods as examples.
Harford also had the largest employment gain in Maryland, up 2.8 percent from June 2010 to June 2011.
In addition, Harford also ranked 108 out of 322 large counties in the country for average weekly wages.
It came as no surprise when Richardson also announced that Harford had a 6.2 percent unemployment rate in February, considerably less than the national average of 8.3 percent and the state’s rate of 6.2 percent for the month.
Harford’s unemployment rate has been on a steady downward track along with the nation’s, he said.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/harford/news/community/ph-ag-edab-0316-20120315,0,7841225.story
“More disposable income brings in a new, different group of retail providers to serve the county,” Richardson said, citing DSW and Home Goods as examples.
Harford also had the largest employment gain in Maryland, up 2.8 percent from June 2010 to June 2011.
In addition, Harford also ranked 108 out of 322 large counties in the country for average weekly wages.
It came as no surprise when Richardson also announced that Harford had a 6.2 percent unemployment rate in February, considerably less than the national average of 8.3 percent and the state’s rate of 6.2 percent for the month.
Harford’s unemployment rate has been on a steady downward track along with the nation’s, he said.
Oh by the way Patrick, many of the people who are upside down in their mortgages are teachers. I am one of them. There are also teachers that have been forced to walk away from their mortgages due to the unfulfilled contracts. There are also teachers working two jobs during the school year and three in the summer to pay their bills and make their student loan payments. All these people are trying to do the right thing. Similarly, every teacher who must work a second or third job, is taking a job away from some other citizen who may need a first job. This is a vicious and needless cycle. The county has a fund balance. There is a 15% increase in revenue coming from the increased income tax revenue (That is only considering the increase n average income not any new tax). Stop the madness! Support your public servants!
Take a very close look at those want ads: most of the skilled jobs brought in by BRAC require a security clearance. You need a security clearance to get the job, but you need the job to get the security clearance. Just ask my family member, who has been out of work for over a year, watching his college degree gathering dust. And, here I am, working in the ‘private sector’, and being told that for the fifth consecutive year, we will not be receiving any wage increases. I feel the pain of the county employees, but PLEASE do not assume that employees of the county are the only members of the community that are feeling that pain.
i have to add to tony’s comment…my husband lateralled from the city to the sheriffs office several years ago. and up until the last few years, living in this area was nice. but after several years with the sheriffs office, my husband has yet to see any increase in salary. we are like everyone else, cutting back on things to pay monthly bills and etc… and now rumor has it, officers with 10+ yrs with dept will get some kind of salary increase, yet all others will stay the same! so now you have deputies making same amount as those coming out of academy yet may not see any salary increase for years to come!! so now i guess you will have disgruntled teachers and officers!
One more year without a contracted step. One more year that HCPS will not compete with surrounding counties and the young, good teachers will leave for greener pastures. One more year when the veterans like me will feel less and less inclined to go above and beyond despite their love of the job or their love of their students. One more year of leaky buildings. One more year when education is not a priority and our kids are the ones who will suffer. Those who constantly bash teachers on this site really will have something to complain about as these disgraceful trends continue and we get the candidates who can’t get jobs in any of the more competitive counties filling our classrooms. It is a sinking ship. Morale has never been lower. Apathy sets in.
Another interesting allocation is the $500,000 for the Susquehanna Hose Company expansion. Harford County just gave the City of Havre de Grace $750,000 in 2009. Why do we need to subsidize HdG projects? Did HC subsidize Aberdeen’s fire house expansions? I can’t seem to find that in any of the past four budgets. Oh, I forgot Craig is from Havre de Grace, not Aberdeen…
Perhaps, some of the issues, ie. roof leaks,ceilings, etc, at several schools could be addressed by the school community members. If the money is needed to replace and/or repair areas and building issues, then the area folks could have a “barn raising” type affair and re-model or replace or repair the bldgs. The various repairs could be completed by several different groups around the county. PTAs, student groups, and parks and rec groups, Lions, Rotary, to name but a few, may be available to participate.
Another area, students that are disciplined, punishments, maybe suspended or expelled may be used as a labor force to encourage or allow the students to make up for their mistakes.
While your first idea is intriging I do not think the William Paca/Old Post Road are has the economic resources to contribute extra money to fund this. After all these people paid taxers which got used to build new schools in other places. Is it wrong for them to expect the same help when their school is in need of these repairs?
The second idea is not legal!
Students that attend Wm. Paca/Old Post Road go on to attend the new Edgewood High School. So their taxes did go to build better schools (don’t forget the new Deerfield Elementary School) in their part of the county.
A new HS is not the issue. These kids go to a mold infested school and it needs to be taken care of and they paid taxes for that purpose they should not have to privately fund school construction when they paid for school construction via tax dollars and in some cases passed on impact fees!
It is easy to claim mold infestation. Where is the testing to confirm it is mold and not just water stains that are not uncommon to find on some ceiling tiles?
Since Deerfield and others are under capacity, does it make more sense to re-district the kids. Can’t that school be closed since it’s in terrible shape and utilize the other surrounding schools better. That area didn’t go through the redistricting nightmare of last year so i’ts not as if their being redistricted again.
Look at the pictures…It’s not just water damage. By the way, water damage leads to mold…
Regarding redistricting, I believe that was the plan, to gradually re-district the kids. The parents were not happy. Unfortunately, we can’t re-district every child who goes to a school that needs serious repairs. That is why the funding must be addressed.
Fix the schools before we build anything else!
@Harfordmom, Closing the school is not feasible or practical. There is not enough capacity in the surrounding schools to handle all WP/OPR students without causing overcrowding elsewhere.
@RyanBurbey, I have enough experience in construction to know that while some water stains look really nasty this does not mean there is mold present. I am not saying that there may not be some mold there (not all mold is hazardous or a health risk) but to suggest that the building is infested is a very large stretch and would certainly have resulted in intervention by the county or state Health Department.
All interior mold is a health risk. It may not be an imperative but it is a risk. It exist in many schools throughout the county.
The school should be fixed. We should not be demolishing perfectly functional superstructures to build new schools. Gut it, repair it, renovate it put it back into service. It could probably be completed over the summer and could be a source of employment for many blue collar workers in the county. Now, maybe due to the prolonged lack of sufficient funding and corresponding maintenance it may be too late for renovation and repair. However, the patter of just building new and not salvaging the old must end. It is wasteful and leads to inequitable conditions.
It is the responsibility of the County at large to provide for equal education access to all students.
Isn’t this interesting? At the state level you have a governor balancing his budget on the backs of the working folks. At the county level you have the County Executive balancing his budget on the backs of his county workers. In my eyes, I can’t separate these two.
My guess is that if Mr. Craig has eyes on the governor’s mansion he’s going to screw state workers as badly as he has county workers. Great, more change to believe in…
Please understand why my voter card says “unaffiliated” and I feel like our “public servants” don’t have a clue.
Last question: Why do we keep electing idiots into office in this state? Please tell me this is NOT the best we can do…
Of course HarCo looks like it’s doing better. BRAC was a godsend for the big picture numbers but a smokescreen for the existing residents of HarCo.
Federal employees are paid 15-35% more than state and private workers. Bloated inflated salaries that balance the meager dribbles the rest of have been given for years.
From high to low, it’s good to be the cook, secretary or anything Federal.
Agency State County Station Title Plan/ Grade Base Salary
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Maryland Cecil County PERRY POINT COOKING WS 09 $75,946
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Maryland Cecil County PERRY POINT COOKING WG 04 $35,896
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Maryland Montgomery County BETHESDA SECRETARY GS 11 $81,204
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Maryland Baltimore city BALTIMORE SECRETARY GS 05 $34,075
For reference:
National Salary
The mean hourly wage for secretaries was $14.93 and the mean annual wage, or average annual salary, was $31,060, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Median annual wages for secretaries ranged from approximately $19,190 to $45,170. The lowest 10 percent of employees earn less than $19,190, and the top 10 percent of employees earn more than $45,170.
Culinary Salary in Baltimore, Maryland
25th percentile Median 75th percentile
$24,960.00 $30,160.00 $37,440.00
This trend holds true for almost all Fed jobs except near the top.
It’s good to be the Fed
A GS 11 secretary would be an executive assistant to a very high-ranking office, or the supervisor for all of the secretaries in an organization. GS 5 secretary is a fresh college graduate.
A GS 09 cook is the kitchen manager, responsible for ordering food supplies, planning menus (including compliance with all USDA guidance for childhood or elderly nutrition), working with the facility leadership to resolve complaints, maintaining health department standards, etc, with experience leading a kitchen staff. Not your average fry cook (GS 4).
There are a plethora of higher level positions within the Fed. All of those high level assistants are doing the same jobs they did years ago but getting paid exorbitantly. There has been a jump upwards in the level of employees during the fed pay freeze. Instead of giving people COLA they got promotions instead which amounts to 10% raises or more. There is plenty of info to back this up, just do some searches on ‘Federal grade creep’.
Dagger unfortunately is slow to post comments with website links so I’ll not bother listing them for the time being.
Regardless of apparent responsibility of the position,’high level assistant’, the private sector pays far less for the same.
A ‘GS 5 secretary is a fresh college graduate’ and paid more than an experienced private secretary.
As well, ‘your average fry cook (GS 4)’ doesn’t get paid $35k a year outside of the fed.
County employees are not federal employees so how much they make is not a valid point of reference. In addition a GS11 employee must have specialized experience and most entry level secretaries or clerks would probably start at GS4-5. That’s what happens when obvious data is not so obvious. The Director of Economic Development bragged about the county growing faster than most in the country and wages increasing. The fact is that new businesses have sprung up in the county probably as a direct correlation to BRAC but that doesn’t mean that all employees hired are federal employees or govt workers. In fact many defense related businesses have moved to APG as support to expanded operations. The reality is that the county is doing well, there is a surplus and the county needs to treat its employees, teachers and deputies like assets that need to be maintained and improved too.
The data is obvious but the employees filling those ‘highly specialized’ roles are not. I’ve seen Fed abuse of the system from the inside and it’s not pretty.
Numbers are numbers regardless of how you embelish the job description.
Still doesn’t have to do nothing with the post or Harford County Government. The Fed has an arcane system of designations and titles which can give the appearance that regular secretary can make that type of money, however the details lie in the job description. Go read it and determine if you can do the job and then apply for it.
I’ve worked in the Fed system long enough to know the descriptions don’t match the details. Too much fluff, too little substance. Promotions are often by longevity and have little to do with skills.
My original point was to highlight the misplaced supposed entitlement teachers in HarCo are claimed to have. They are underpaid and underappreciated relative to thier skills and what less skilled people in the government are being given.
To assert that the BRAC movement has not created jobs for existing Harford County residents is ridiculous. To assert that it is masking anything and does not represent significant improvements in the economic outlook in the county is also ridiculous. Many existing residents have been hired. Similarly, jobs create economic stimulus for the surrounding community.
Ryan,
The jobs weren’t created, they moved here at the expense of VA, NJ, AL, etc. Also, many of the local people being hired for the new organizations are transferring from existing positions that are at risk of being declared over-strength due to cuts in funding. So in those cases, yes, BRAC reports a local person is hired, but they’re not reporting that the employee’s previous project would have laid him off anyway for lack of work at the end of the fiscal year.
Some economic benefit exist, but you’ll find that many of the new arrivals have different tastes. They’re shopping at Wegmans, Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, etc, because they can afford better goods. Only one of those stores is currently in HarCo, so their money flows out of the county.
You also have the employees renting rooms during the week from friends, coworkers or hotels that go home to their families on the weekend. Do you think they’re helping the economy beyond minimal food items and the $100/week they’re paying their friends for using the guest room? I doubt they’re buying cars, TVs, etc in this area.
Regarding “at will” employment: I don’t have time to wade through the torrent of effluvium in this thread; neither do I have my MOPP 4 gear to protect myself from said torrent. However, it should be noted that “at will” employment goes both ways: The employee can terminate his employment at will as easily as the employer can. Now, if one wanted to gin up an issue, one could argue that the employee can’t just walk away from a job without something upon which to fall back. Hey, there are consequences to every decision you make. I know several people who just walked away from a job with nowhere else to go. But any time an employee gives notice, he is exercising his right to terminate his employment “at will.” It is in no way as one-sided as at least one poster apparently wants to believe.
To all those concerned about the conditions of school buildings, here is the reason:
Percentage of Harford County Capital budget dedicated to the Board of Education
2013 = 13%
2012 = 13%
2011 = 20%
2010 = 47%
2009 = 47%
2008 = 38%
In order to maintain stable and consistent facilities, budgets must be stable and consistent.
Where can I find out how all this money was spent?
This represents $356,564,234.00 of Capital Money spent on the Board of Education.
And Harford County students have first class education facilities at North Harford HS, Patterson Mill MSHS, Aberdeen HS, Bel Air HS, Edgewood HS, Joppatowne ES, and Deerfield ES to show for it.
So what do the rest of the kids do?
Honestly Ryan sometimes I do not believe you live in the world of reality. Some of your arguments make sense but then you make a comment (like that above) which ignores the obvious. As much as you would like to claim otherwise the county (taxpayers) cannot afford and will not support the kind of school system capital expenditures you suggest. To replace or substantially renovate all the school buildings you say need this level of improvement is not fiscally reachable by county government without severely impacting other valuable (and citizen demanded) public services. Your narrow view ignores the needs of others and alienates those that might be more inclined to agree with some of your proposals if you would moderate your approach. I can’t remember exactly where I heard or read it but the saying goes something like this, those that take an all or nothing approach almost always end up with nothing. Think about it.
Mr. Burbey
Money is not all from one pot as was pointed out to you. Most of it does originate from tax payers; however, there is also revenue from interest and investments, royalties, rent and other business type transactions. Once it arrives at a government office it can be allocated to different fund accounts, if it is not already allocated because of it origin. This was also pointed out to you. Funds cannot be arbitrarily transferred from one account to another without approval and consequences. The State Pension fund is a good example. The 2% increase in contribution went to the general fund, not to the pension fund. Hopefully it will be repaid without robbing some other fund; otherwise the pension fund will be short. Additionally, the EOC project you are interested in is a multi year project. Total cost @$43M. Approximately $6M has already been allocated. The projects shows funds available, not funds hoped for. It may be possible to get grants for funding, but they have not materialized. Although you may be vigorously opposed to the project it appears that it is too late, by at least 2 years, to do anything meaningful about it.
Your speculation that if constant yield had been maintained there would have been more money is not necessarily true. From my perspective had constant yield been maintained in earlier budgets, Harford County Government would not have expanded as much as it did, and there may have been more flexibility today. Regardless, a brief review of what has happened may be beneficial. In the recent past three very significant events all acted to change property tax revenue. First the County Council reduced the rate, and in subsequent budgets, so did the County Executive. At the same time the county Council reduced the Homestead Tax credit from 9% to 5%. Finally, property assessments dropped to reflect the market. While the first 2 events reduced revenues, in some cases reduced property assessments raised tax revenues and may have a more positive than negative effect. The net effect after all of this is that unless there is more growth, or a change in the tax rates in Harford County, Property Tax revenues should remain essentially flat for the 5 to 7 years.
It would be counterintuitive today to change the tax rate to develop more revenue so that you could have a raise. It is a very similar circumstance to the financial situation which developed around the housing industry, and has ensnared cities like Harrisburg, PA and Compton, CA. A change in one penny on the Harford County property tax rate turns @2.7M. I estimate that it would take between $20-30M to fund a County wide salary increase. That would boost property taxes by @$.075 to $.11 per hundred dollars of assessed value. With one of the highest property tax rates in the state already, residents might not accept that it is in their best interest to provide you with a salary increase. More importantly however is that this increase in property tax revenues would flat line and there would not be additional funds for future raises, without another change in property tax rates, significant growth, and a real increase in assessed values or a combination of the three. Consequences of a higher tax rate to those paying them might be encouragement enough to locate other than in Harford County. My conclusion is that in order for you to get more money, revenues must not only increase they must increase at an increasing rate
As to your comments on capital projects that you disapprove of. Understand that the Capital program is a multiyear document. The Capital budget is related to the year of execution. If you do not want a particular program do not come forward in the year of execution, on a multiyear project that has been funded by a prior appropriation, is already underway, and expect to stop it. This is the same system that the Board of Education uses. The EOCs project does not shortchange the education projects that you favor in any way. In 2013, Harford County will make an $18M dollar debt service payment for Board of Education projects; they will fund other $16 M dollars for Board of Education projects and provide $11M for capital projects at Harford Community College. Hardly an underfunding of education.
Regarding your conjecture that the Next County Executive will be in a very poor position, that is debatable. He or she will come in to a situation, unlike other state and/or local governments, that has room for expansion with existing revenues without being choked with significant debt burdens, or operating costs that exceed revenues. Were there challenges? Absolutely. Was there a balanced budget? Absolutely. Was there balance in the budget? Absolutely. Could someone else have done it better? Maybe. But that person was not elected.
Finally, I have my own reasons to criticize some of the actions of the County Executive and the County Council. I do not believe that they are underfunding government because they have a desire to be mean spirited. Rather they recognize that there is no money. They did not get a magic wand to fix everything, nor are they withholding your share of pixie dust to make your life better. There is no desk drawer with money, and no cash machine hidden in a secret closet. Did they fix everything at once? Absolutely not. Are they adequate stewards of the resources they have been provided. I believe, in general, yes.
That is where we diverge. THis county has a history of inequity which is being perpetuated. We should not build new projects with debt servicing until the buildings which need repairs have been repaired. I hope the council has the courage to say no.
Mr. Mallamo,
As I have stated and continue to state. This is not about a raise for me. This is about a school system which is funded at an adequate level to be competitive and equitable. While I an all my colleagues deserve our contracted salaries. The situation is far worse than just not funding salaries.
As to funding, all funds with few exceptions (grants, etc.) are fungible, i.e. they come from the same pot. Whether the County Executive is intentionally underfunding schools to the point of disaster or not is irrelevant. He is doing it. He has a choice and could easily fund the schools.
Mr. Mallamo have you ever supported an increase in any taxes? where is your balance? It is not realistic that while the county grows and employment increases while county workforce is less and more work is being piled on the workers that it wouldn’t have a detrimental effect in the medium to longer term. Not one has asked for more taxes to be raised, indeed the county is sitting in a pile of surplus and we should be able to debate all costs incurred by the county, not just employees salaries which seems to be be most common area to cut and many of the posts here show some glee and happiness to see people that are dedicated to their work go without while the citizens of this county haven’t seen or felt any reductions in services. Fully funding a 2% step or COLA would not cost that kind of money, most employees don’t make the kind of money that private employment offers.
“Fully funding a 2% step or COLA would not cost that kind of money, most employees don’t make the kind of money that private employment offers.” In some cases, frankly speaking, you are correct. However, even though someone else has pointed out that it’s apples and oranges to compare federal and county government employees, I can say from having researched positions myself that federal positions doing the same job I used to do as a contractor, before the command for which I worked literally went south, pay roughly twice as much as I was paid, to say nothing of the fact that federal benefits are usually a lot better, in my experience, than what I was offered as a contractor.
I believe if you plotted the Federal wage scale across a graph by difference with private sector jobs you would see the graph go like this:
\
Meaning the entry level Federal jobs are mostly higher paying than private sector jobs (such as “cook” and “secretary”), but that the jobs at the higher end of the scale where qualifications and experience are much more demanding, the pay is relatively low.
I was talking with a Senate staffer last week and he went on a rant about how “most of us” could be making significantly more in the private sector. Their salaries are good (you can look them up), but the people from the private sector they meet with make 2 or 3 times more. Just one example.
There is a peculiar experiment being conducted at the federal level that involves contracting out certain positions to be filled by contractor personnel. It has gotten to the point that corporate memory of those functions is in the hands of what amounts to an augmenting work force that could easily be dismissed when budget considerations have to be made. The net result is the corporate memory goes out the door with the contract personnel. I do not fault the contractors I work with for being contractors. They perform their jobs in many cases better than comparable federal employees, in part, because they feel the need to prove the need for their existence. And because they are temporary workers they should receive a higher wage than a fixed federal worker with the potential threat their job could become excess at any moment. But that is not how things are in reality. They usually have fewer or less expensive benefits than their federal employee peers while they are expected to maintain services that could easily be described as “Personal”. Their specialization is not always something that can translate well into the private sector. It is little more than slavery as practiced willingly by a government hierarchy that is willing to look the other way when it comes to dividing work among federal employees and contract employees.
You are absolutely correct in your appraisal of the situation and I thank you for the straightforward comment.
This is precisely the situation I have seen perpetuated.
I’m sure David Craig will win the teachers’ votes when he runs for office again! He’s been swell to county employees these past few years! I wonder how much he makes each year and if he has take pay cuts, hmm?