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Paying county commissioners: How much is too much?
December 24, 2002

Olmsted County commissioners recently voted themselves a 26 percent salary increase. It's the largest pay hike for commissioners in the county's history. Critics question the increase when the state and county are facing tough economic times. Supporters say higher salaries will encourage more citizens to participate in the political process.

Rochester, Minn. — For each of the last 10 years, Olmsted County commissioners have given themselves an average annual raise of around $900. This year, though, they'll be receiving a $5,000 salary increase. Outgoing commissioner Jim Daley says he voted against the increase not because of its size, but because of what he calls bad timing.

"With the state situation, with the federal situation, even the county situation, and the school districts, everybody's in trouble. Big trouble. And to do it when everything is in the dumpster wasn't appropriate," he says.

Daley was one of three commissioners who voted against the salary increase. They were narrowly defeated by the four remaining commissioners. Daley says this issue is part of a bigger problem he sees in American politics. A self-described term-limit supporter, Daley thinks by making the salary for public office too comfortable, local governments around the state and country are encouraging public servants to become career politicians.

"After you're in there for six, eight, 10 years -- somewhere around there -- is that the money you receive for your public service becomes part of your lifestyle. And after that, I think you probably do what you got to do to become elected again so that income is protected. All of a sudden you're not serving anymore, serving the people; you're serving yourself," he says.

One of the commissioners voting for the increase was Paul Wilson. A business owner in Rochester, Wilson says being a county commissioner is like having a second full-time job.

Wilson also points to other counties with comparable budgets and populations. Dakota, Anoka, Washington, St. Louis, Carver, and Scott counties all have populations and budgets similar to Olmsted County's. Each of those counties pays its commissioners at least $8,000 more per year than Olmsted County.

For example, Scott County has 100,000 residents and a budget of $78.5 million. Scott County commissioners are paid $41,000 a year.

Olmsted County has a population of 125,000 and a budget of $152 million -- twice that of Scott County. However, even after this most recent raise, Olmsted County commissioners will make just $32,000 a year.

Wilson thinks a salary increase will encourage more people to run for office. Up to now, Wilson says, most commissioners have been retirees or business people -- those who could afford to take the job. Instead of producing more career politicians, Wilson says, a salary increase will encourage more citizens of lower economic means to pursue the position.

"This is part of democracy, this is the call of democracy," he says. "With the challenges that we have, and the time commitment that it takes, if someone wants to pursue this position, and they don't have independent wealth, this will give them an opportunity to make a decision: Do I stay employed or do I want to go for this position? And I think that's certainly appropriate," he says.

According to University of Minnesota political science professor Lawrence Jacobs, Rochester is dealing with what is really a microcosm of a larger question that communities across America are trying to deal with.

"Which is how to balance public service out of a sense of obligation to democratic life with the reality that we want a full spectrum of Americans to come out and participate in that life, and they're going to need the economic support to do that," according to Jacobs.

Jacobs says local officials need to use common sense when it comes to raising their own salaries; keeping in mind they will never make private-sector salaries, but they shouldn't be suffering economic stress by serving the public.

Jacobs says many Americans are attracted to political office because they own businesses or real estate that would make the idea of a high-visibility job attractive

Thus, he says, a higher salary for the job might help attract a broader diversity of citizens. Olmsted County officials will have to wait for the next election to see if he's right.

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