The Calvert County Commissioners, with the aid of County Attorney John Norris, reviewed previously proposed initiatives to be considered for legislative action in Annapolis next year. A few items among the 19 proposals prompted lengthy discussions and disagreement during the Tuesday, Nov. 26 commissioners’ meeting. 

One such discussion was in regards to the Calvert Compensation Review Board’s recommendations for local elected officials’ salaries. Any changes would take effect after the 2014 General Election.

Back in September the review board presented its recommendations to the commissioners. The panel recommended increasing pay for judges of the Calvert County Orphan’s Court—an additional $180 per year for the chief judge and an additional $175 each per year for the other two; a two-percent increase for the county treasurer’s annual salary, bringing the yearly pay to $52,020: and a four-percent increase in the sheriff’s annual salary, bringing that figure to $90,480. No raises were recommended for the five county commissioners, however, the review board recommended the commissioners continue participating in the county government’s benefits program, specifically the county savings plan.

Before discussion started, County Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R] made a motion to recommend the sheriff receive an annual salary of $100,000. The motion was not seconded and thus died. Slaughenhoupt then made a motion to accept the review board’s recommendations with no modifications.

Commissioner Susan Shaw [R] then declared she would not support the motion, objecting to raises for the treasurer and sheriff since neither job has been burdened with additional responsibilities.

Shaw added that she believes the next board of county commissioners should receive additional compensation.

“As many people know, I’m not running for county commissioner again so this doesn’t affect me,” said Shaw. She added keeping the county commissioner salary low “does a disservice to the public” in that it limits the number of people who are to run for and serve as a commissioner.

“This is not a part-time job,” said Shaw. “I would support tying it to employees’ raises.”

Commissioners’ President Pat Nutter [R] agreed with Shaw that being a county commissioner in the 21st century was a fulltime responsibility. “You basically do this job for zero,” said Nutter, who added that he knew about this in 2010 when he ra