Mariposa County supervisors gave themselves a salary boost. Is it too much?
Mariposa County’s Board Supervisors this week voted to give themselves a significant pay raise — the first in nearly three decades.
The vote on Tuesday passed 4-1, but not without stirring concerns among some residents. Supervisor salaries will leap from about $50,000 a year to $82,000.
People on both sides at times were on the verge of tears, making arguments to support their respective cases during the Dec. 10 and Jan. 7 meetings. The raise being successfully passed is unlikely to end community discussion against it.
“This is such a difficult item, I don’t know what day of the year we could of done this and not probably have had a strong response,” said Human Resources Director Kimberly Williams.
While several supervisors expressed apprehension over the sudden pay increase, only Supervisor Marshall Long rejected the amendment on account of it being too much too soon.
To avoid politicizing supervisor salaries, they are anchored to the salaries of Superior Court judges. When judges get a raise, supervisors receive a percentage. Without the system, an annual vote of supervisor salaries would be mandated, as was the case decades ago.
That caused lengthy meetings every year where residents opposed salary increases, said Long. Things changed in 1991, when supervisors’ pay was linked to 25% of a Superior Court judge’s salary. The new ordinance boosts it to 40%.
Community backlash
Many residents took issue with supervisors voting for their own raise, and suggested putting the issue on the ballot, so Mariposa County residents can have a stronger voice.
Several community members said the raise is too high, some saying the members of the board who voted for it will have difficulty getting reelected.
Others argued the money should be applied to support pressing county issues like maintaining roads, improving water and supporting local businesses.
“For the past 10 years or more, this county has remained stagnant in many ways,” said Mariposa resident Ruth Sellers, adding that supervisors have failed to provide taxpayers the services expected of elected government officials.
At about 17,471 people, Mariposa County’s population hasn’t grown in recent years, and could be shrinking, according to the US Census Bureau. With recent salary increases for department heads, some locals are concerned over how and where taxpayer money is applied.
Other community members, including those favoring the increase, are troubled over it coinciding with rising Mariposa taxes and fees. Supervisor Miles Menetrey pointed to the transient occupancy tax increase and proposals of raising fees county-wide.
May people said the increase should have come earlier, ahead of the March 2020 election’s filing deadline. The three supervisor seats up for election are uncontested races, with only Menetrey running for reelection. A higher wage may have encouraged others to run, they said.
Arguments in support of increase
Most county officials support boosting supervisor salaries. Health and Human Services Director Chevon Kathari said the board’s advocacy at the state level brought millions of dollars to the county. Sheriff Doug Binnewies said residents who say they haven’t seen progress should know the board has made tremendous gains in county public safety.
Williams clarified the proposed raise was not the supervisors’ idea, but her own. She described it as a “course correction” after realizing board salaries had not been reviewed since 1991.
“The five of you are paid below 89% of all county employees,” Williams said. “For me, this just was not right.”
Williams characterized the pay as a part-time salary for a full-time job. The reasons she cited for higher supervisor salaries included serving on committees, traveling to Sacramento, responding to the community 24/7 and overseeing more than 500 employees as full-time responsibilities.
Not including retirement or reimbursements, the increase represents just .15% of the county budget, Williams said. No fees will increase, nor will it pull money from roads, schools or public safety.
Officials pointed to Mariposa County supervisors’ unique position of overseeing a county without incorporated cities, which incurs duties typically managed by city governments. Plus the board meets every week — more often than other counties.
“Having no incorporated cities means that you have to become an expert and have to rule on everything that happens,” Public Works Director Mike Healy said. “All those things those other city councils pass — you make every decision that goes on in government in this county.”
A salary lower than nearby counties deters prospective candidates from running, Williams said.
Merced County supervisors, for example, make about $112,423 annually. The raise could encourage individuals with more diverse economic backgrounds to run, said Supervisor Rosemarie Smallcombe.
Historically, Mariposa County supervisors are usually retired individuals. “I do want to acknowledge that for many people, that desire (and) that passion for public service is not sufficient to put food on the table for kids, or to pay the rent or the mortgage,” Smallcombe said.
Despite promising to not take a salary increase once elected, Supervisor Merlin Jones said he has lost money every year. Williams convinced him that the increase would benefit Mariposa County’s future. Jones said he will donate the increase to FFA and 4-H to support Mariposa’s youth.
Supervisor Kevin Cann said the raise is not about the current board, but about investing in the community.
“This is a gift to the future of Mariposa County,” he said.
This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 3:35 PM.
