Across the state, county commissioner and manager salaries vary considerably.
Some county boards, such as in Lenoir and Jones counties, receive pay raises the same percentage as across-the-board employee pay increases.
The figures vary widely when comparing both board members and chairman of one county with another, while also taking into consideration travel pay or lack of.
“I don’t know how we would stack up,” Lenoir Chairman Reuben Davis admitted.
Some years back, Lenoir County Commissioners voted for their own pay raises. In the early- to mid-1990s, the board agreed to take the same percentage of pay raises as the county employees, Davis said.
The commissioners could give themselves a raise, “but it would not be appropriate,” he said.
Lenoir commissioners will be getting a 2 percent pay increase, along with employees, starting July 1. The last pay raise was a 2.5 percent raise beginning in Jan. 1, 2011.
Lenoir County Manager Mike Jarman said he looks at about eight counties when he makes comparisons, in general, of Lenoir with other counties.
“We had done a study,” he said about employee pay, “and we’re about 10 percent below the comparable size counties.” Board pay may not be included.
Currently, the board members each make $14,559 and the chairman is paid $18,250 a year. None receive a separate travel allowance.
In his role as Lenoir County Manager, Jarman makes $100,931. Commissioner J. Mac Daughety said without the board doing an annual review, it’s difficult to know if the pay is appropriate.
“It’s hard to say if we’re paying too much,” he said, “if you don’t know what the scale is.”
Davis said Edgecombe and Duplin counties are comparable to Lenoir, but Duplin is more rural. Comparisons here are made with counties similar in population and property value.
In Edgecombe County, commissioners each make $5,278 annually with $4,620 travel allowance, while the chairman gets $6,981 and is allotted $5,400 for travel. The manager is paid $117,260 plus $6,600 travel allowance.
Duplin County commissioners receive $9,000, including the chairman, and the manager is paid $76,537. There is no travel pay.
Columbus County, near Wilmington and with a population and property value close to Lenoir, pays its commissioners $13,361 and chairman $16,234, and each receives $1,500 for travel annually.
Jones County’s manager also gets travel pay — $6,700 — along with a salary of $80,701 a year.
Commissioners in Jones get $9,828, while the chairman gets $10,488. Each receives $3,864 in travel allowance, annually.
Gates County, with a somewhat higher population and property value, pays its commissioners $7,285 plus $1,200 for travel and chairman $8,610 with $1,500 travel pay. Its manager is paid $87,696 plus $2,500 for travel.
“I think we’re comparable to surrounding counties,” Jones County Commissioner Joe Wiggins said, “especially ones that are the same size as our county.”
He said he compares Jones with Greene and Pamlico counties. Pamlico has a population of about 14,000, while Jones has 10,180.
No data was available on Pamlico County’s property value, but the county offers commissioners some of the lowest pay in the state at $3,540 plus $2,400 for travel, and the chairman gets $4,152 plus $3,000 of travel. However, each is paid $50 for every out-of-county meeting attended.
Greene County commissioners are paid $4,535 plus $1,200 for travel, while the chairman is paid $5,227 and $1,800 for travel. Two commissioners gave up their salaries a few months back because of county financial problems. The other three board members gave a portion of their salaries more recently.
The last Greene County manager was paid $93,790 until December when he retired, following financial concerns. Currently, the county is headed by an interim manager.
Bertie County is similar in size and value to Greene. Commissioners get $9,937 and the chairman is paid $11,356. Each receives $4,800 for travel.
Mecklenburg County pays the highest in the state. Commissioners receive $23,041, while the chairman gets $28,801. The manager receives a salary of $246,138.
Dare County’s manager follows with $239,794 and Wake’s manager earns $229,924 with $6,000 for travel.
Yancey County pays the lowest for a manager at $61,200. Other lowest-paying counties include Stokes at $65,000 and Cherokee at $71,400.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.