Opposing Viewpoints: Commissioners deserve first pay raise in 17 years

Should we give our county commissioners a raise? George Smartt, the chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, thinks so, and will present a resolution to the full commission Monday night asking for what amounts to an increase of around $675 a year per commissioner.

And while he has received a fair amount of flack for this move, the fact is it?s been 17 years since commissioners have received any sort of pay raise. Now, the question on most people?s minds is whether or not the commissioners have done the kind of job that deserves an increase in pay. Of course to answer that question, one has to define what constitutes a ?good job.?

One of the hot-button issues for county taxpayers has been, and always will be, keeping property taxes at a minimum, while providing all the services we, as Warren County citizens, enjoy. Things like round-the-clock ambulance and emergency medical services, effective police protection, a well-maintained jail to keep criminals off the streets. Money for education and funds to build roads and new schools.

Well, this group of 24 individuals has worked diligently for the last four year to scrimp and save on county programs in an effort to provide all these services, and has done so without increasing property taxes one red cent. Though a possible increase does loom in the future, you can bet it will be as small as they can make it.

Now does that constitute a ?good job? in your book? It does in mine. I say give them a raise. Like all of us, they can use it, and what?s more, they deserve it.