Page 26 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch November 22, 2013 Happy Thanksgiving Closed Monday, Nov. 25, Thru Thursday, Nov. 28. Reopen Friday, Nov. 29, At 3 p.m. Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Full Circle Call Charlotte: 410-430-5401 Or Email Kuti479@aol.com Report: County Pay Too Low Among Leadership Positions By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER NFL FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS 5 Big Screens To Watch Your Nascar Action • Buzztime • Keno 1/2-PRICE ENTREES Every Sunday, Tuesday And Thursday All specials are not valid with any other offers. Add $4 for each crab and all steak dishes. Dinner available with purchase of beverage. No carry-out. (Some Restrictions Apply) HAPPY HOUR DAILY 3 P.M.-6 P.M. FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS EARLY BIRD DAILY 4 P.M.-6 P.M. SPECIAL DINNER MENU MONDAY 6 P.M.-9 P.M. 1/2-PRICE BURGERS AND CHEESEBURGERS (Some Restrictions Apply) WEDNESDAY (WHILE IT LASTS) PRIME RIB $15.99 OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY NOON • SATURDAY-SUNDAY 11 A.M. 28TH ST. PLAZA • 410-289-3100 WWW.COINSPUB.COM These Lots Are Being Gobbled Up Fast ONLY 2 LEFT! SNUG HARBOR LOTS-WEST OCEAN CITY JUST OFF ROUTE 611 ON SNUG HARBOR ROAD Close To Assateague And O.C. Beaches Beautiful Canal Views Perfect To Build Your Dream Home! SALISBURY – A report prepared by the Wicomico County Compensation and Allowance Committee reflects significant disparities in a couple of the county official positions and seeks deep consideration for pay increases. The Wicomico County Compensation and Allowance Commission met three times during the summer and fall of 2013 to prepare recommendations regarding the compensation of the county executive, county sheriff, council president, council vice president and council members. According to the report, the current annual compensation for the County Executive is $85,000. If the amount, which is originally set by the Charter Review Committee in 2003, is adjusted for inflation over the past eight years using cumulative Consumer Price Index data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2014 amount would have to be $98,724. In addition, the commission reviewed the range of compensation for similar positions in Maryland. Currently, the Wicomico position has the lowest compensation level with the next lowest being higher by $17,000 and the highest having a margin of over 112 percent. The members of the commission estimate that, when the Wicomico amount is subjected to a market adjustment using the Cost of Living Index numbers published by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development for each of these jurisdictions, the desired compensation level for the position becomes $120,417. At this amount, the Wicomico compensation level would still be the lowest in the state but the gap will be narrower and the amount will be aligned with the complexity of the tasks at hand and the skill sets requires by the job description for the position. Unfortunately, the current economic and fiscal climate would make this large of an adjustment problematic. Therefore, the members of the commission propose that the county executive’s compensation be set at the inflation adjusted amount of $98,724 and then be pegged to the same annual cost of living adjustments that apply to all county employees. The report continues, the current annual compensation for the county sheriff is $85,000. If this amount is adjusted for inflation for the past eight years, using cumulative Consumer Price Index data the, the 2014 amount would also be $98,724. Looking at the range of compensation for similar positions in Maryland, currently the Wicomico position is the seventh lowest in the state. However, if adjusted for cost of living, the compensation would become the seventh highest. A better market adjustment, accounting for population, size of the county budget, and number of employees, would be $95,000. Therefore, the members of the commission propose that the county sheriff’s compensation be set at the market adjusted amount of $95,000 and then be pegged to the same annual cost of living adjustments that apply to all county employees. The current compensation for the council president position is $18,000. If this amount is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index data, the 2013 amount would be $20,906. Commission members have examined the market differentials for this position using the same methodology as the one used for the County Executive position. For this position, the differential was negligible, and commission members have chosen not to make a market adjustment beyond the inflation adjustment. They also noted the part-time nature of the position and declined to peg the compensation to changes in the cost-of-living beyond the amount already adjusted. SEE NEXT PAGE PRICED TO SELL! $97,500 & $114,900 CALL TROY PURNELL At 410-726-8043 • 800-554-7721 For More Information 11718 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, MD 21842 www.resorthousinggroup.com