In Your Corner

There has been a great deal of press coverage and comment in the last weeks about the number of Government Workers in Martin County that have a take home pay of over $100,000 per year. For all of Martin County there are some 1,600 employees of local government entities (not including Schools) and 140 earned over $100,000 last year. The breakdown of these $100K earners sheds a lot more light on the subject. Note that, with the exception of County Fire/EMS, there are about 3 to 3.5% of County Employees in this category.

County Commission (less Fire/EMS): 22 of appx.650 (3.4%)

County Fire/EMS: 81 of appx. 260(31.2%)

Sheriff’s Dept.: 20 of appx.575 (3.5%)

City of Stuart 8 of appx. 250 (3.2%)

Constitutional Offices 7 of appx. 235 (2.9%)

Anyone who has followed our articles/newsletters (see our many years of comments at http://www.mctaxpayers.org/ ) are well aware that we have been voicing our concern on the current cost and long term sustainability of this level of government pay, especially in the County Fire/EMS. We are certainly glad to see this new public awareness, but believe that there are a number of related facts that need to be discussed.

First, this is in no way an indictment of the individual employees making exceptional salaries, most especially the members of our outstanding and award winning County Emergency Services. Their union representatives have done a remarkable job for their members, which is what they are supposed to do. It is, however, an indictment of those in charge of Martin County (ultimately the Board of County Commissioners) during the last dozen years or so that chose to allow this disparity to evolve.

Second, just having a $100,000+ yearly take home pay is not a reason for indictment, criticism or even envy. It is a false economy to hire the cheapest possible labor to do a job and there are certainly posts in the County that require the education, personal risk/skill, experience level and responsibility to deserve this type of salary. All county employees should receive a salary commensurate with the requirements of their job AND ARE COMPARABLE AND COMPETATIVE WITH COMENSERATE CIVILIAN POSITIONS IN THE AREA BEING TAXED TO SUPPORT THEM.

Third, the salary calculation for a particular position must also consider the cost of benefits such as vacation, retirement, health care and personal/sick days. Those expenses are actually more costly to taxpayers than the salary. Benefits have historically been very generous for government workers. In the past, they were paid less than their civilian counterparts and governments relied on benefits and job security to recruit qualified applicants. This was particularly true for jobs considered “hazardous duty” such as Sheriff, Police and Fireman. Their benefits were made especially generous and retirement was attainable at an earlier age for less service. The theory is that these positions carry an inherent risk that should be rewarded and they require a “younger- more fit person” to perform them. Currently Florida’s civil service jobs designated “Hazardous Duty” allow retirement at 25 years service at 75% of their highest 5 years pay (including overtime and other pay enhancements) and full family benefits. If they stay longer they get an additional 3% per year served to a high of 90% at 30 years. These individuals generally begin service in their early 20s, retire in their late 40s to early 50s and will probably be on the retirement payroll for 30 – 40 years at nearly their highest full active duty salary. Combined this with work rules that invite lots of overtime in their final years (for retirement calculation) and a high terminal salary, these costs are rapidly becoming unsustainable.

Obviously there are many additional facts that figure into the County’s overall employee expense including the statistics on our School District. We will try to accurately and fairly cover all of these areas in the near future.

We encourage your comments, criticisms, ideas, or any questions about how your taxes work; call or fax 772-288-0474 or write to us at PO Box 741, Stuart, FL 34995 or e-mail us at admin@mctaxpayers.org or visit our WEB site, mctaxpayers.org.