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Walton County Salary Database

WCTA avatar
Beach Lover
16,403 views
WMBB has a just posted a database that includes salaries for Walton County.

Might give you your answers FF2. Have fun !

Walton County Highlights
Non-Elected Top Earners:
County Administrator $121,091.00
South Walton Fire Chief $113,558.00
County Planning Division Director $105,000.00
Other High Earners:
County Financial Director $108,902
Clerk of Courts MIS Director $106,880
County Construction Director $98,097.00

Other Highlights:
Lowest Paid Police Officer or Firefighter:
City of Freeport Fireman - $9.07/hr ($18,865.60 annually)
Most Employees:
County Commission and Administration - 586
Least Employees:
Town of Paxton - 5

Here is the link:

wmbb.com - Who?s On ?YOUR? Payroll?

This Link Carries You to the Video Report ON WMBB

http://www.waltontaxpayers.org

WMBB Says They could not Get the Data for Walton County Schools but the WCTA made a request back in June of this year and received the attached .pdf file. Sorted by Dept and Highest to lowest within Dept.

View attachment 13814

Edited

Replies

31
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#2
County Commission District 1 - Vice-Chairman $38,580.00
County Commission Commissioner's Aide $44,491.00
County Commission Administrative Assistant $13.77
County Commission District 2- Commissioner $38,580.00
County Commission Executive Assistant $17.01
County Commission District 3 Commissioner $38,580.00
County Commission Executive Assistant $16.52
County Commission District 4 Chairman $38,580.00
County Commission Commissioner's Aide $34,000.00
County Commission District 5 Commissioner $38,580.00
County Commission Commissioner's Aide $44,491.00
County Commission Administrative Assistant $13.73

I'm curious about the above. I'm assuming that these are the assistants to the commissioners. Why is it that they are paid different amounts and even different ways? Again this is all on assumption that they are grouped accordingly.
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#3
Well this is just getting sadder and sadder by the minute.

Here is the lowest paid Code Enforcement "Officer":

County Commission Code Enforcement Officer 2 $19.04

You have to be a Lieutenant to beat that salary and be an EMT or Firefighter. That's just wrong. While I'll admit that there could be instances of a code enforcement going into a dangerous situation I doubt it's anywhere near what EMT's and Firefighters see on a regular basis. In addition CE doesn't work the hours that EMT's and Firefighters do.

I haven't gotten that far WCTA, but are we abusing our LEO's this way too?
WCTA avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#4
Well this is just getting sadder and sadder by the minute.

Here is the lowest paid Code Enforcement "Officer":

County Commission Code Enforcement Officer 2 $19.04

You have to be a Lieutenant to beat that salary and be an EMT or Firefighter. That's just wrong. While I'll admit that there could be instances of a code enforcement going into a dangerous situation I doubt it's anywhere near what EMT's and Firefighters see on a regular basis. In addition CE doesn't work the hours that EMT's and Firefighters do.

I haven't gotten that far WCTA, but are we abusing our LEO's this way too?

Yes we are.

Based on our study of the SO they would have to be a Lieutenant at the SO to make the same salary. You could transfer Code Enforcement under the SO and save $240,000 buy adjusting salaries to be inline with Deputies with the same years of experience.
WCTA avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#5
I'm curious about the above. I'm assuming that these are the assistants to the commissioners. Why is it that they are paid different amounts and even different ways? Again this is all on assumption that they are grouped accordingly.

They have steps within a pay grade. Same position but different number of years serviice = different salaries.

You also have two different salary grades within the Commissioners staff. Different responsibilities = different pay chart.

Executive Assistants are basically "political patronage" positions - change Commissioners and those people are generally shifted somewhere else within the BCC. Allows a commissioner to have his/her staff.
wrobert avatar
Beach Fanatic
#6
Well this is just getting sadder and sadder by the minute.

Here is the lowest paid Code Enforcement "Officer":

County Commission Code Enforcement Officer 2 $19.04

You have to be a Lieutenant to beat that salary and be an EMT or Firefighter. That's just wrong. While I'll admit that there could be instances of a code enforcement going into a dangerous situation I doubt it's anywhere near what EMT's and Firefighters see on a regular basis. In addition CE doesn't work the hours that EMT's and Firefighters do.

I haven't gotten that far WCTA, but are we abusing our LEO's this way too?


And all of them, but the commissioners have to pay for their family health care. I thought fair health care would be an issue for local democrats but I guess not.

Edited

Bob Wells avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
Yes we are.

Based on our study of the SO they would have to be a Lieutenant at the SO to make the same salary. You could transfer Code Enforcement under the SO and save $240,000 buy adjusting salaries to be inline with Deputies with the same years of experience.

If you were to co mingle CE with SO all you have is SO and the lack of CE leadership. IMO
Thanks for the heads up on wages in Walton County.
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#8
Yes we are.

Based on our study of the SO they would have to be a Lieutenant at the SO to make the same salary. You could transfer Code Enforcement under the SO and save $240,000 buy adjusting salaries to be inline with Deputies with the same years of experience.

Interesting take on it -- always after the savings. Did it ever occur to your group that maybe the SO is underpaid? You hint at that, but if that is the case, making it right will cost more money, not save $240,000.
30abob avatar
Beach Lover
#9
Are the Code Enforcement officers required to hold advanced degrees or professional licenses? In other words, is there a justifiable reason for the disparity or is it simply supply & demand?
wrobert avatar
Beach Fanatic
#10
Are the Code Enforcement officers required to hold advanced degrees or professional licenses? In other words, is there a justifiable reason for the disparity or is it simply supply & demand?


Not nearly as much as is required to be a law enforcement officer.
wrobert avatar
Beach Fanatic
#11
Interesting take on it -- always after the savings. Did it ever occur to your group that maybe the SO is underpaid? You hint at that, but if that is the case, making it right will cost more money, not save $240,000.


If that were the case why is it that Adkinson appears to have no trouble hiring highly qualified, skilled professionals to do the job at the current rate of pay?
Lane Rees avatar
Beach Lover
#12
WCTA, where does Sonny Mares, Ex. Director of the TDC, fall into the top salaries paid for the county?
WCTA avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#13
Interesting take on it -- always after the savings. Did it ever occur to your group that maybe the SO is underpaid? You hint at that, but if that is the case, making it right will cost more money, not save $240,000.

I stated a potential savings only for a point of reference to the salaries of CE vs LEO.

The salary range in Bay County for CE Offficers is $35,351 to $40,978.

The salary range in Walton County for CE Officers is $39,769 to $52,664.

They do have training and certification requirements that they must meet, but they are paid by the County.

You should draw your own conclusions concerning who is more important to your safety and well being.
WCTA avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#14
WCTA, where does Sonny Mares, Ex. Director of the TDC, fall into the top salaries paid for the county?


These are the Top 10 (Excludes Constitutional Offices)

County Administrator $ 121,091
Financial Director $ 108,902
Assistant County Administrator $ 106,952
Planning Director $ 105,000 (Was $128,209 until Reorganization)
Plans Review Engineer $ 101,747
Construction Director $ 98,097
TDC Executive Director $ 93,350
Building Dept Director $ 92,453
Public Works Director $ 91,605

Edited

Beach Fanatic
#15
WCTA, where does Sonny Mares, Ex. Director of the TDC, fall into the top salaries paid for the county?

Looks like WCTA is on top of the situation.

Edited

Matt J avatar
SWGB
#16
Completely forgot about this position. I feel that I am highly qualified to move into this office should it become vacant.

County Commission Jr. Party Chief $35,895.00

I wanted to be a smartass to begin with, but then I got side tracked.

P.S. Can anyone tell me what this person really does?
florida girl avatar
Beach Fanatic
#17
The last payroll chart I saw a year or 2 ago had all the salaries posted. Curious to know the rest of the story. Some of the individuals making less than $15 hour had been working with the county for about 30 years! I think we need to reevaluate our priorities and take care of our people first!
Bob Wells avatar
Beach Fanatic
#18
Completely forgot about this position. I feel that I am highly qualified to move into this office should it become vacant.



I wanted to be a smartass to begin with, but then I got side tracked.

P.S. Can anyone tell me what this person really does?

I think that was for survey crew, I could be wrong though.
Bob Wells avatar
Beach Fanatic
#19
The last payroll chart I saw a year or 2 ago had all the salaries posted. Curious to know the rest of the story. Some of the individuals making less than $15 hour had been working with the county for about 30 years! I think we need to reevaluate our priorities and take care of our people first!

Did it have the years of service attached for the last one?
North Lake avatar
Beach Lover
#20
I think that was for survey crew, I could be wrong though.

No, you're correct. It's an odd job title, but it's for the Survey Crew.
Here4Good avatar
Beach Fanatic
#21
I'd feel better about the CE salaries being so high if I felt as though code was properly enforced in the county, but we are talking about a M-F, 9-5 department which appears to be powerless to enforce what little code we have around here.

The abandoned, half-finished houses over at Inlet Beach, which are an eyesore and a hazard, have been sitting there for two years.

New construction is what, maybe 5% of what it was three years ago?

I just don't feel like I'm getting my value for the $$.
Just Curious avatar
Beach Fanatic
#22
I'd feel better about the CE salaries being so high if I felt as though code was properly enforced in the county, but we are talking about a M-F, 9-5 department which appears to be powerless to enforce what little code we have around here.

The abandoned, half-finished houses over at Inlet Beach, which are an eyesore and a hazard, have been sitting there for two years.

New construction is what, maybe 5% of what it was three years ago?

I just don't feel like I'm getting my value for the $$.

Just a question: What would you like them to do with those houses? They are all private property; they can't just go and clean up jobsites. From my understanding there are open cases on all of those houses. (Not really what this thread is about, sorry)
Here4Good avatar
Beach Fanatic
#23
Just a question: What would you like them to do with those houses? They are all private property; they can't just go and clean up jobsites. From my understanding there are open cases on all of those houses. (Not really what this thread is about, sorry)

I'd like them to order the owner to either finish them or tear them down, and when that doesn't happen, they go tear them down and fine the owner for the cost. If they are bank owned, put a lien on them so that the bank has to pay.

It really has been years. How would you like to own one of the homes in that area?

Yes, they are private property, but I'm pretty sure a building permit has some requirements around it.
Smiling JOe avatar
SoWal Expert
#24
Coincidentally, I was reading the Walton Sun article the other day about the health hazards those houses in Inlet Beach pose, and that the County was going to take action. Then, I read the date of the old paper and it was from 2008! By the way, it was reported that one didn't have a building permit posted, but it is likely that it has fallen over and blown away. Not to get sidetracked on those houses and private property rights, but from all that I understand, Code Enforcement operates in a reactionary way, going on calls reported. They are not out on active patrol, saving people's lives, nor pulling over cars at 3am. As I understand it, there staff has been cut dramatically, so maybe few remaining, are paid more to handle all of the work load. It just seems backwards that their salaries are higher than first responders such as Sheriff's officers, FireFighter's etc. I know far too many people who would take a $50,000 salary for a 9-5 like Code Enforcement.
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#25
Did it have the years of service attached for the last one?

I seriously doubt it.
wrobert avatar
Beach Fanatic
#26
Coincidentally, I was reading the Walton Sun article the other day about the health hazards those houses in Inlet Beach pose, and that the County was going to take action. Then, I read the date of the old paper and it was from 2008! By the way, it was reported that one didn't have a building permit posted, but it is likely that it has fallen over and blown away. Not to get sidetracked on those houses and private property rights, but from all that I understand, Code Enforcement operates in a reactionary way, going on calls reported. They are not out on active patrol, saving people's lives, nor pulling over cars at 3am. As I understand it, there staff has been cut dramatically, so maybe few remaining, are paid more to handle all of the work load. It just seems backwards that their salaries are higher than first responders such as Sheriff's officers, FireFighter's etc. I know far too many people who would take a $50,000 salary for a 9-5 like Code Enforcement.


Drastically? I think they lost one position but may have it wrong.

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