Waldo County’s three elected commissioners will no longer get benefits that are funded by the county, salary increases or biannual pay bumps on an experience-based scale.
The changes were approved to go into effect immediately by a split vote among commissioners Thursday, with Timothy Parker opposing and suggesting he may take legal action.
The proposal came during the commissioners’ second meeting since the county budget committee decided not to vote on a proposed 36% budget increase last week that would have added up to more than $17.4 million.
“The point I want to make, to me, it’s about integrity, it’s about ethics, it’s about optics, it’s all of those three things,” Commissioner Kevin Kelley said when introducing Thursday’s motion. “Going into a fiscal year that is struggling…I think the commissioners ought to take a stand.”
The cuts to commissioner pay increases at most would save less than $2,500 this year. Though other, deeper cuts to the county budget are likely ahead in the coming weeks, Thursday’s vote was framed as sending a message amid inflation, budget constraints and negative public response to the county’s management.
The overall budget vote was delayed following hours of public comment on Friday, much of it critical of both the proposed total and the county’s lack of information about its finances. The budget committee, which considers a budget proposed by commissioners and whose members have the final vote, said it would not make a decision until county audits are complete through 2024.
Currently, the county doesn’t know exactly how much money it’s spent or has in its undesignated fund going back several years.
The major driver of the potential increase this year — more than $3 million — was employee benefits through the county’s self-insurance program, where the employer pays claims instead of an outside company.
Waldo County has used this system since 2007 and is the only Maine county to do so, according to Kelley. It’s trying to switch systems and may be able to in 2026, but seven commercial carriers refused to bid on a contract this year.
Thursday’s vote suspended any increases in compensation for the county treasurer and its three commissioners, including cost-of-living adjustments; it also discontinues experience-based pay scales for the roles.
Kelley and Parker, who are both first-year commissioners, make about $13,750 a year, according to county documents provided by clerk Barbara Arseneau. Betty Johnson, who has held her seat for 15 years, earns $19,780. The county treasurer makes $2,500.
The suspended benefits include medical and dental coverage.
“It is imperative that our focus remains steadfast on the governance of our county and not on the remuneration or perks that are potentially available to part time employees,” Kelley said when introducing the measure.
Kelley also said he believes it’s a conflict of interest for the commissioners to vote to set their own salary scale, and the system lacks checks and balances.
Parker called the motion “completely irresponsible” and criticized that the benefit changes were introduced without warning, saying they would also harm the families of the people affected.
He also said he was told he had to sign up for the state’s public employee retirement system, even though commissioners are elected officials rather than county employees, and would likely seek legal counsel if the motion passed. Parker also alleged commission meetings have been called without proper notice and lacked transparency.
Johnson said she was torn, but hears every year that people consider running for the commission to take advantage of its health benefits and recognizes a need for the county to cut down expenses.
To address the rest of the county’s budget, the budget committee wants to meet again on Jan. 9, commissioners said.