By Linda Cooper, Spotlight Founder and Administrator
Between January 1, 2022, and March 2023, seven fortunate county managers out of eighteen listed on the county’s organizational chart were given $5,000 to $10,000 raises. I made a public records request to confirm. I’m sure the county grapevine already knew who got what and why but will not complain. We all know how punitive and retaliatory this county government can be. I have experienced it personally and I know how it works. It can be crippling or rewarding, depending on what side you’re on.
It was a simple records’ request asking for a copy of the action form for the pay raises. An action form has all the pertinent information such as the employee’s name, what action to take, department to receive the form such as payroll with an explanation for the change, etc. I received only seven names, nothing more.
The Human Resource Director stated it took her fifteen minutes to retrieve the names but that I would have to pay a special service charge for copies of the action forms. The estimated cost is $50.96, 1.5 hours @ $33.97 per hour for her employee to retrieve that information. It’s only seven pages, they should have been previously scanned into an electronic file, at their fingertips, in a searchable database, at least that’s how it should work.
Today, retrieving and copying documents is much easier and more convenient than it was in the past. With modern technology, we can quickly access and organize information without having to physically search for it in a filing cabinet or manually sort through paperwork.
If the BoCC and County Coordinator Wilbur Dean were transparent, organized, and followed proper procedures using professional guidelines, the public record requests there would slow to a trickle. Instead, the BoCC and Dean use a self-serving “friends and family” policy at taxpayer expense without any real accountability. I can guarantee you that the three senior board members who own their own businesses do not treat their employees with the same zeal, generous pay, vacation/holiday pay, and retirement as they do their select pets to hide their incompetence and to buy favor and silence.
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Posted August 20, 2023
