New County Administrator Salary

[Bob Hudson]

Salary negotiations with the newly selected County administrator have concluded with a proposed starting salary of $132,500. The County Commissioners must now either approve the negotiated salary or reject it - most likely on May 12th.

This salary will make the County Administrator the highest paid employee of the BCC eclipsing the $125,000 salary of the TDC Director and $32,636 more than the previous County Administrator.

[scooterbug44]

Exactly why do we need to increase the salary by $32,636?

Unemployment was at 9% last time I checked.

[kurt]

From WZEP AM1460





Walton hires County Administrator

Greg Kisela has been hired as the Walton County Administrator. Kisela will start with Walton on June 21, leaving his job as Destin City Manager. The Walton commissioners agreed on a 4-1 vote to hire Kisela at $132,500 a year. Commissioners said this was about $10,000 less than he was making in his Destin job.

The employment agreement includes a benefit package the commissioners and County Attorney Lynn Hoshihara called standard for employees. Hoshihara negotiated the agreement during a four hour meeting. The agreement also includes a severance package where Kisela will get any pay and time due plus six months salary. This will come into effect only if he is dismissed “without cause” and does not include retirement. The agreement also has the county paying into his retirement at 14.57%, something Assistant County Administrator Gerry Demers says is standard for senior employees.

Kisela will also be provided with a vehicle since he is on call 24-7 and will be required to establish residency within the corporate limits within six months.

Under his time at Destin, he oversaw the beach restoration project, securing funding for Destin East Pass and a community redevelopment project. Kisela is also credited with helping in downsizing staff and works in the community, even helping Santa.

During the discussion, commissioner Sara Comander said she looked at Walton’s neighbors around the area and across the state and suggested a starting pay of $127,000 then evaluate in six months to consider a raise, then again six months later. She said the pay with the benefits comes to around $150,000. Comander asked, “If we start at the top, then where do we go?” She said she is not against Kisela and feels he is a good man.

Commissioner Cecilia Jones noted Kisela is taking a $10,000 cut and comes as a professional. She said less pay might cause him to run. Commissioner Larry Jones noted the benefits were standard for county employees and the pay is $132,500. Commissioner Scott Brannon asked if there is a probation period. It was explained the position is at the will of the commissioners, but there is a probation period.

The vote passed with Comander the nay vote.

[scooterbug44]

Less pay might cause him to run?

For $25K I'll risk it.

[GoodWitch58]

"The agreement also has the county paying into his retirement at 14.57%, something Assistant County Administrator Gerry Demers says is standard for senior employees."

this is okay for the County Administrator...but the teachers, and firefighters, and other public servants now must pay for their retirement package...wonder what the advocates of "fiscal restraint and less government" think about this?

[scooterbug44]

I think that the pay increase would pay a starting teacher's salary.

And if the justification for the high pay is that he's a "professional," what the hell were the other applicants?

[idlewind]

Why is this one worth more than Ronnie Bell was worth? If I remember right he was with the county over 30 years and about half that as administrator. i believe his salary was around 110,000. Is someone with little knowledge of Walton County worth 22,000 more than someone with a lifetime's experience. Maybe Ms. Commander is waking up, but someone needs to throw water on the other four.

[Teresa]

There are many factors to consider, including the skill and experience the new manager brings to the job, the goals of the County, etc. Sometimes with professional level County/City leadership positions, you definitely get what you pay for. Comparing salary with TDC Director, teachers, or other positions really is not valid or relevant, at least in my opinion.

[idlewind]

There are many factors to consider, including the skill and experience the new manager brings to the job, the goals of the County, etc. Sometimes with professional level County/City leadership positions, you definitely get what you pay for. Comparing salary with TDC Director, teachers, or other positions really is not valid or relevant, at least in my opinion.

The TDC director is relevant if only because that position is vastly overpaid and the same commissioners did it under the same set of circumstances. It seems odd that they are asking employees, some of whom make barely above minimum, to contribute to their retirement and take pay cuts or layoffs at the same time they are giving the "leaders" huge salaries with no experience or no county experience.

[scooterbug44]

IMO we should easily be able to get qualified people AND some cost savings in a competitive job market.

It seems ridiculous to be slashing other benefits and cutting positions in the name of "budget issues," yet drastically increasing pay for this position when it comes with massive benefits.

Some cuts are in order in the top paying positions.

[kurt]

The TDC director was instrumental in getting $8 million for promoting tourism in SoWal. Her salary might be considered a good investment.

Imagine asking the CEO of a company as large as our county to do it for less.

[idlewind]

The TDC director was instrumental in getting $8 million for promoting tourism in SoWal. Her salary might be considered a good investment.

Imagine asking the CEO of a company as large as our county to do it for less.

Many CEO's take a dollar when the company is in dire straits. I'm sure those who are struggling to live and looking at pay cuts will appreciate the big dogs getting paid. And what good does getting 8 million do if we are going to waste it on tripe like "to each your beach."

[scooterbug44]

It might be - but I personally think it is bloated and I think a lot of money is/has been wasted - and which offsets any money brought in.

A lot of CEOs are taking pay cuts, or are tying their pay to their performance. The governor is being paid $1.

From a strictly HR perspective - the current salary for someone with 15 years experience in the job and 30 years in the county was X. Why during a time of budget issues and cuts elsewhere is the STARTING salary (because I think if someone does well raises should be in order) X + 30K?

IMO these salaries are the "defense budget" of Sowal - seems we can always find $$$ to spend on this, yet not on other things a fraction of the cost and multiple times the importance.

[Andy A]

Question. Who was the only smart Commissioner that voted against this appointment? I know, do you and what is the justification by the other four for an such an increase in salary when we are all looking for ways to reduce our government spending?

[kurt]

Maybe using CEO is a bad comparison since most are seen by the common man as evil now. A better analogy might be people who complain about high-dollar college coach salaries when their success makes the colleges tens of millions. You get what you pay for these days and the market sets the salaries.

Ultimately you do get what you pay for. At least that's the hope.

[kurt]

Question. Who was the only smart Commissioner that voted against this appointment? I know, do you and what is the justification by the other four for an such an increase in salary when we are all looking for ways to reduce our government spending?

Careful you don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

[kurt]

And what good does getting 8 million do if we are going to waste it on tripe like "to each your beach."

I think you'd serve your community better if you joined the process with the goal of making improvements.

[Buz Livingston]

Maybe using CEO is a bad comparison since most are seen by the common man as evil now. A better analogy might be people who complain about high-dollar college coach salaries when their success makes the colleges tens of millions. You get what you pay for these days and the market sets the salaries.

Ultimately you do get what you pay for. At least that's the hope.

Rethink your analogy, good buddy. Trickle down economics, eh?

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/col...-losing-money/

"Despite raking in billions of dollars in television, ticket, and licensing revenues, all but 14 of the 106 schools in the NCAA’s top athletic division (FBS, formerly IA) lost money in 2009. The median loss was over $10 million."

[30ashopper]

"The agreement also has the county paying into his retirement at 14.57%, something Assistant County Administrator Gerry Demers says is standard for senior employees."

this is okay for the County Administrator...but the teachers, and firefighters, and other public servants now must pay for their retirement package...wonder what the advocates of "fiscal restraint and less government" think about this?

Is this guy a state pensioner or a private contractor? That number doesn't jibe with the current contribution percentages set by FRS.

[Bob Hudson]

Employment Class July 1, 2010 Rate

Regular - 9.63%
Special Risk - 22.11%
Special Risk Administrative Support - 12.10%
Elected Officers:
Legislators - 15.20%
Governor, Lt. Governor, Cabinet Officers - 15.20%
State Attorney, Public Defenders - 15.20%
Justices, Judges - 20.65%
County Elected Officers - 17.50%
Senior Management Service - 13.43%
DROP participants - 11.14%

[idlewind]

I think you'd serve your community better if you joined the process with the goal of making improvements.

I thought Sowal WAS part of the process. :-) If I were in one of those positions I would check this forum daily to keep up with what people think. Just saying.

[idlewind]

Question. Who was the only smart Commissioner that voted against this appointment? I know, do you and what is the justification by the other four for an such an increase in salary when we are all looking for ways to reduce our government spending?

Andy, I am proud of her and hope this is a good sign for the future. I am still not sold on her or any of the rest of them but I hope she continues to explore her conservative, libertarian side. I will be the first to admit my error and cheer her on.

[wrobert]

He could always continue to manage Destin proper. So will that be the new vision for Walton County?

[idlewind]

Sounds like someone needs to get their stories together:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/cou...nistrator.html

The Daily News reports that Kisela will get a 16,000 pay raise instead of taking a 10,000 pay cut. The plot thickens.

[Andy A]

Sounds like someone needs to get their stories together:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/cou...nistrator.html

The Daily News reports that Kisela will get a 16,000 pay raise instead of taking a 10,000 pay cut. The plot thickens.

It is my understanding he will receive a car and other benefits that were not available to the previous County Administrator and the benefits when added to the salary comes to an increase over what he was making as Destin City Manager. He did not have a car and the other benefits while Destin City Manager, thus an increase in compensation.

[scooterbug44]

If that is true, why does he need these things when the previous County Administrator managed to do the job for 15 years without them?

IMO for over $100K a year you can drive your own car and suck it up as part of your job.

[Bob Hudson]

Here is his signed contract.



Kisela2.pdf

[wrobert]

It is my understanding he will receive a car and other benefits that were not available to the previous County Administrator and the benefits when added to the salary comes to an increase over what he was making as Destin City Manager. He did not have a car and the other benefits while Destin City Manager, thus an increase in compensation.

Those benefits were available, Mr. Bell chose not to accept them. According to the NWFDN the salary is a $16K increase over what he was making in Destin. And prior to the meeting a highly connected developer once again went into the back room where the commissioners are before they meet.

Kenneth Pridgen did say you get what you pay for nowadays according to a quote in the paper. Seeing what commissioners a getting paid it makes me wonder.

[TheZohan]

Maybe he will get a luxury vehical with leather and heated seats

[idlewind]

Those benefits were available, Mr. Bell chose not to accept them. According to the NWFDN the salary is a $16K increase over what he was making in Destin. And prior to the meeting a highly connected developer once again went into the back room where the commissioners are before they meet.

Kenneth Pridgen did say you get what you pay for nowadays according to a quote in the paper. Seeing what commissioners a getting paid it makes me wonder.

What is the connection between the developer and Kisella?

[wrobert]

What is the connection between the developer and Kisella?

No idea. Maybe he was there on something else. I just thought it strange since I was told that practice was going to be stopped.

[Geo]

Many CEO's take a dollar when the company is in dire straits. I'm sure those who are struggling to live and looking at pay cuts will appreciate the big dogs getting paid. And what good does getting 8 million do if we are going to waste it on tripe like "to each your beach."

Don't look now but you're dangerously close to making a class warfare argument! Lol

[idlewind]

Don't look now but you're dangerously close to making a class warfare argument! Lol

You may have a point there. But I would rather think of it as a loyalty argument. In other words, dance with the one that brung you.