Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County Citizen Salary Review Commission has come out with recommendations of significant raises for the county's elected officials. One member and lawmaker say one group of officials should not get a raise.
The commission recommended a 25% pay increase for the county executive, a 31% hike for the county comptroller, and a $40,000 raise for the county clerk.
The biggest raise comes for the Erie County Sheriff, with a nearly 50% jump to $150,000 a year.
Commission member Gary Dickson is in favor of the raise for the sheriff.
"When you think about it, the sheriff has a huge responsibility with lots of officers under him. Plus, he has the jails. He certainly is very active in a crisis situation, so I think the majority of the commission, including me, felt that he was underpaid," said Dickson in an interview with WBEN.
However, DIckson did not vote in favor of raises for the other elected offices, which includes county legislators.
"They're already well paid, as compared to many other county legislators, legislative bodies, except around New York City, Long Island, Westchester," Dickson explained.
Erie County Legislator John Mills (R) agrees with Dickson, as he believes there should be no raise for legislators.
"It's a part-time job, and it's way out of whack, the $65,000 that's recommended," said Mills in an interview with WBEN.
Mills says those in the private sector don't get paid as much for part-time jobs.
"It sends the wrong signal. The people that we represent, this is something that elected officials should not be doing," Mills explained.
When it comes to other county elected officials, Mills feels the recommended raises are higher than he would like to see.
"But they need to get bumped up a little. [I'm] not completely in favor of every dollar that's being proposed. Some I think should be lowered a little bit, others are probably right where they need to be," Mills said.
Mills and his colleagues will ultimately decide on approving the raises, which will take effect after the next election.