It's Your Money

We want to express our support for the attitude expressed by a Martin County Commissioner last week in her suggestion for an across the board cut in County salaries. This is a welcome first step. However, her specifics for a finely graduated percentage reduction in pay appear an inadequate solution to the problem. As we have pointed out time and again, the real issue is not the salaries of most of the County employees. It is the total take home pay, benefits, scheduling and response protocols of the segments covered by the International Association of Firefighter’s contract, along with the unwarranted benefit packages and perks enjoyed by most County workers.

Until relatively recently the pay of public sector workers was significantly less than that provided by most private employers. This lower pay was offset by job security and benefits that came from being part of a government bureaucracy. Small business owners and individual entrepreneurs obviously have little if any job security and only benefits they enjoy are provided by the wealth they create from the capital and labor they risk. This situation was the norm in American society for generations.

In the last 20 years or so there has been a dramatic shift in the favor of public sector employees. One reason for this is the decrease in union workers in the private sector and the rapid increase of union influence in the public sector. This is largely a function of political prowess, increases in government workers at all levels and the lack of a requirement for any government to maintain “profitability”. This has been especially true for Fire/Rescue, Law Enforcement and other public safety workers following the 9/11 attacks. The process has caused a large escalation in the cost of local government which, in turn, raises taxes and put all employers and employees at further risk.

Today, according to the US Department of Labor, private sector employees average only 2/3 of the pay of those in the public sector and their benefits are constantly decreasing. In the public sector this greater pay has been accompanied by continued or increased benefits, especially for those in jobs considered “hazardous”.

All of the above, along with years of naïve contract negotiations, have brought on Martin County’s current situation. We face the possibility of another $20 million decrease in County revenues for FY 2011 with no recovery yet in sight. We have personnel costs that take anywhere from 85 to 95% of department budgets; an outrageous IAFF contract through FY 2011 that is nearly impossible to open; an agreement with the Federal Government that effectively prohibits reductions in Fire/Rescue personnel for 4 years; an impasse with the Teamsters (other County worker’s) Union; drastically increased user fees; reductions in desired services, and a significant morale problem among County workers brought on by the inequities inherent in the current situation.

Even this partial recognition by the Commission that has largely been responsible for creating this situation is refreshing. We also recognize the laudable actions taken by the County Administration that have kept the situation in check until now. However, this Commissioner’s proposal along with current policies will prove totally insufficient going forward. We again refer ALL Commissioners to actions we have previously recommended:

• Hire an outside professional to negotiate all union contracts and the personnel packages for all new, highly compensated contract employees.
• Allow NO significant contract negotiations or extensions just prior to elections
• Institute an immediate 10-12% cut in the total compensation for all highly paid personnel not covered by a union contract.
• Put the IAFF on notice to expect NO pay/COLA increases for 2010-2011 and significant belt tightening in coming contract negotiations.
• Honestly investigate the privatization of all public services including fire and emergency services
• Prioritize ALL expenditures before beginning the budget process to allow adequate funding of REQUIREMENTS before addressing desires or pork projects.
• NO new “tricks" like shifting taxes to assessments or fees.
• Put all unfunded capital projects and restoration of reserves on hold.
• STOP spending when current revenues run out and maintain our reserves.