During the closed session of the San Benito County Board of
Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, County Administrative Officer Susan
Thompson was awarded a 5 percent merit increase but
”
gave it back immediately.
”
HOLLISTER
During the closed session of the San Benito County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson was awarded a 5 percent merit increase but “gave it back immediately.”
“(I received a) merit increase like the rest of the county but I gave it back immediately,” she said. “I didn’t get anything that isn’t equivalent to everyone else.”
The raise is a standard merit increase awarded through the county’s salary band, which consists of six steps and is awarded on an annual basis.
In these tough economic times, all county employees in all the bargaining units have been giving back their annual merit increases, Thompson said. She added that she signed a non-revokable form “months ago” to give the increase.
To prepare for the state potentially taking away money from the local jurisdiction and an expected dip in property tax income, local county leaders had previously cut some employee perks such as water and coffee as well. County officials have also offered employees a voluntary furlough program that would cost workers a maximum of five percent of their wage.
Seventeen department heads – six elected and 11 appointed – have also been asked to take a 5 percent pay decrease.
Board Chairman Anthony Botelho said that with the current state of the economy, making sacrifices in both the public and private sectors are the “only way that we can get through these times.”
“(Thompson) led by example and she is a great leader of our county,” he said. “She is leading by example.”
All county employees are going through the same process of giving back merit increases right now, according to Botelho. He added that the county needs to continue with merit increase evaluations to improve certain areas that need improvement.
As for Thompson’s merit increase goes, Botelho said she has earned it.
“She is very deserving of a merit increase,” he said. “Susan has done a great job in managing our county in a number of areas.”
