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Why Would Anyone Want To Remain in "Public Service"??
Do You Think $$$$$$$ Might Play A Role ????
Take A Look At How Some Official Salaries Have Increased -They Certainly
Don't Have To Worry About The High Price of Gas!
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Are There Perks For Staying In Office - Yes!
For example,
we understand that Bell County Judge Jon Burrow's salary in 1999 and 2000 was $74,336.00 - even by today's standards, that
salary would be welcomed by most Bell County residents.
But guess what? The Bell County Auditor, Ms. Donna Eakin,
reports that the cureent annualized salary for the County Judge is $109,308.00 (of which $15,000.00 is "funded by the state"
. . .. ((don't you just love how public officials like to tell us that things are "funded by the state" - they conveniently
seem to forget whose taxes fill those state coffers)). And guess who voted on the substantial salary increase?
One
can't help but wonder how many readers have enjoyed similar salary increases since 1999? Probably very few. For comparative
purposes, consider the following: Bell County per capital income is a mere $28,444 and the median household income (based
on 2003 Census) is only slightly higher ($38,150). Not surprisingly, about 14.8% of County residents are listed as living
in poverty. Sort of puts a whole new face on income disparity in Bell County, right?
Bottom line - in addition
to the exhobitant salary increase that he has received since initially taking office, the County Judge now enjoys yet another
whopping $5,000 pay increase, effective December 2005. Must be nice!!!
Perhaps we should think about term limits?
Otherwise, some folks just might want to make so-called public service a lifetime endeavor!!!! It certainly seems to pay
well!
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