Erie County’s four top elected officials would receive raises ranging from 16 percent to 29 percent under a plan unveiled Tuesday by by a citizens review panel.
If approved by county leaders, the raises would take effect next year. The Erie County Executive would receive a 22 percent raise. Mark Poloncarz's salary would increase to $126,400.
The county comptroller would also receive a 22 percent increase, while the Erie County Sheriff would see his salary go up by 29 percent. The county clerk’s salary would increase 16 percent, although incumbent Chris Jacobs has already gone on record opposing an increase.
The salaries of county legislators remain the same under the plan. But Legislature Republicans say salary hikes for ANY elected county officials salaries of county legislators remain the same under the plan. But Legislature Republicans say salary hikes for any elected county officials would be “imprudent.”
"The Majority Caucus opposes the Citizens Salary Review Commission’s recommended salary increase for elected officials in Erie County. There are several reasons why raising the salaries of elected officials would be unreasonable at this time. Residents and businesses already pay some of the highest taxes in the country, and many taxpayers go years without a wage increase yet still face a higher cost of living. We appreciate the efforts of the Commission, but at this time believe it would be imprudent to raise the salaries as recommended,” said Chairman John Mills.
Mills, Majority Leader Joseph Lorigo and Legislators Lynne Dixon, Kevin Hardwick, Ted Morton and Edward Rath are all opposed to the Citizens Salary Review Commission’s recommendation to raise the salaries of elected officials.