Years ago the Clay County Charter was amended via citizen petition to limit County Commissioner salaries at $37,000 (plus benefits) annually and required that any changes in salary must be approved by a majority of voters in a General election.
The Clay County Charter Amendment on ballots this year would remove the $37,000 limit, thus making County Commissioner salaries $97,000 (plus benefits) annually. The Charter Amendment would also remove the requirement that voters approve future salary changes, thus allowing salaries to increase without voter approval.
The Charter Amendment is confusing, and apparently purposely so, according to recordings that surfaced showing Charter Review Commissioners advocated using “creative wording” to get a desired result. They even admitted on camera that listing the dollar amounts would not be “popular” thus they did not put the dollar amount of the salary increase on the ballot. To make matters worse, voters have received two mailings which were purposely deceptive, designed to trick voters into voting “yes.”
Because of these deceptive tactics I voted “NO” on the Clay County Charter Amendment and I urge my fellow voters in Clay County to do so as well!