Pay Raise Proposal for Mendocino County’s Board of Supervisors Under Fire
[L to R, Top to Bottom] Vice-Chair John Haschak, Supervisor Dan Gjerde, and Supervisor Ted Williams Supervisor Glenn McGourty and Chair Maureen Mulheren [Photo from the County of Mendocino]
A proposed salary increase for Mendocino County’s Board of Supervisors is facing backlash. The proposal, set for discussion and possible action on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, would raise salaries by over $15,000 in the next two years. Board members argue the increase is a fair market rate, but critics point out that many county employees currently earn less than $20 per hour.
The ordinance suggests increasing the base salary for each Board member from $95,302 to $110,715 over two fiscal years, noting that the Board has not seen an annual salary increase since 2018, except for COLAs received from 2019 through 2021.
Mendocino County’s Human Resources conducted a salary survey using Humboldt, Lake, and Sonoma counties as comparators. With the proposed increase and their benefits, the supervisors’ total compensation would reach $160,715 annually by 2026. In comparison, Humboldt County supervisors make $124,300 annually, Lake County supervisors make $104,000, and Sonoma County supervisors make $211,295.
A’Kesh Eidi, a Public Health employee and SEIU 1021 Chapter President criticized the proposal: “If we subject the Board’s total compensation package to the same comparison process that showed County employees were under market, the same process shows that the Board is already over market by 14%, and the proposed increase would put their total compensation over market by almost 20%.”
4th District Supervisor Dan Gjerde defended the increase, stating, “The salaries for Mendocino County employees are based on an average of the salaries in nearby local governments. Of Mendocino County’s 1,070 employees, the five Supervisors are the last County employees to receive a market adjustment.” He added that over 150 other job classifications would continue to have higher salaries than that of a County Supervisor.
1st District Supervisor Glenn McGourty said, “The BOS is committed to fair market wages for all employees, including supervisors. We will be the last group to receive a market rate adjustment in our pay.” McGourty, who is leaving the board in January, added, “Compensating people fairly for what can be very stressful and difficult work makes sense if you want to continue to have good candidates applying for these positions.”
Critics argue that the wage hike is inappropriate given Mendocino County’s financial turmoil. In June 2024, the county balanced its budget using $7 million in unsustainable one-time funds. In early July, California’s State Controller blamed the Board of Supervisors for the financial chaos. The fall of local cannabis and an inefficient property tax collection system have further strained the county’s finances.
Supervisor McGourty argued, “It is unfortunate that the State Controller’s Office did not interview any of the Supervisors for their report as we could have easily provided additional useful information.”
Megan Wolf, a library employee and SEIU 1021 Executive Board member, called the proposed increase “incredibly upsetting.” She stated, “The Board has repeatedly told us that the county is in dire financial straits. The Board says they cannot afford to give us appropriate COLAs but now they are proposing that the Board get significant raises. In my department, the Mendocino County Library, half of all library workers make less than $20. The Board should be prioritizing their workers by raising the county minimum wage to at least $20.”
Supervisor McGourty offered a more optimistic view of the county’s financial picture, saying, “Our understanding of Mendocino County’s financial position has improved dramatically under Interim Auditor Controller Treasurer Tax Collector Sara Pearce and CEO Darcie Antle. Working closely with our consultants, the County has closed books for 2021-22 and 2022-23. Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports have been produced for both years, with the latest one indicating ‘no significant material findings.’”
He highlighted the budget’s clarity, saying, “While money is tight, at least we have a balanced budget and a clear understanding of our ending balance. Additionally, all financial information and records are now properly managed in the MUNIS system.” McGourty emphasized the teamwork involved, adding, “CEO Antle and her financial team also played a significant role in this effort, and the BOS made this a top priority with strong support and dedicated resources.”
According to the United States Census Bureau, Mendocino County’s per capita income is $34,977.
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How about a pay cut for these parasites?
Yes, if they were paid according to performance standards they’d all be taking a cut.
This is the same group of incompetents that drove the county finances into the dirt in the first place.
They should all be recalled from office.
Well obviously that would make it more difficult for our Supervisors to afford the latest trend in pool design, gaining popularity in the North Bay. The naturalized “pond” look.
They are called Supervisors because they supervise. Their pay should reflect the celebration the poors feel at being represented by the smartest most capable, and handsome individuals in Mendocino County! How else will the World know our success if our representatives can’t display lavish easy living?
Excellent idea. They should pay the county for their chance to screw things up.
State and Fed lawmakers have created the sneaky way to guarantee pay raises. It’s automatic unless they all vote against getting it. Regardless If they deserve/earn it or NOT. No wonder they don’t believe in term limits.
Their big justification is that they did not completely capsize the county’s economy, only took on a bunch of water. Lol. And now they made it so they have an idea of what the budget should look like? Umm…THAT is your job! That you are already being paid almost $100, 000 a year!! Don’t forget their benefits packages and their paid days off, pensions, etc etc. Their arrogance and self-entitlement in these difficult times is truly astounding…
Don’t forget they also all have other revenue streams. Most of them make hundreds of thousands outside of their supervisor positions, because of their supervisor positions. They should be accounted for but never is.
Anyone know the salaries/perks for the del Norte sups? They have proven to do less than the other counties listed.
They will always have the excuse for less public service, but wouldn’t hesitate to compensate themselves.
No. Absolutely not. I can’t think of a worse use of the taxpayers’ money
No WAY should any “public servant” be getting a raise at this time. Those supervisors least of all. Their benefit packages should sustain them just fine.
Whatever the mean household income is in Mendocino (or any county), that should be the supervisor pay.
And they should NEVER get to give themselves a raise. Any pay increase should be voted on in a general election.
There’s some important information that may be very impactful. With the County’s dyer financial straits they potentially can be frozen from accepting any grant money. They will not be allowed to apply for for new g rants or extended the current ones. 100% the credit situation that the county is in if it is accurate um buckle up buttercups the seas are going to turn into
a category 5 hurricane. The Board of Supervisors should be ashamed of themselves for the lack of transparency, the severe absence of knowledge, the inability to walk and chew gum at the same time, the inability to admit mistakes before the train jumps the tracks. If they started actually functioning where they recognized issues before it became significant. Or before the impact impacts everything it would be wonderful but they don’t seem to have any Clarity or fore thought in their minds nor on their agendas. That skilI set and dysfuntion is definitely worthy of a pay raise if I ever heard it!
The walking and chewing gum at the same time would violate ADA rules.
Expel these people immediately. They do not, and never have, had the best interest of the people in mind.