Incoming official holds off on raise

The next administrator eliminates a 5 percent raise provision in his contract after outcry.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published February 6, 2008

David Hamilton will be paid $135,000. Any raise will be in line with others'.
	[Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

BROOKSVILLE - David Hamilton, welcome to Hernando County.

Hernando's new county administrator has not even stepped foot into his new office and already people are saying he is overpaid.

The County Commission voted 4-1 to approve Hamilton's contract Tuesday after discussing his proposed $135,000 starting salary, debating a provision to give him a 5 percent raise after six months and a satisfactory performance review, and listening to citizens blast his pay as part of Hernando's "bloated bureaucracy."

After the meeting, in a telephone call with Commission Chairman Chris Kingsley, Hamilton agreed to forgo the 5 percent raise. Instead, he will accept whatever raise other county employees might receive this year as an acknowledgement of the county's tough economic times.

Talking to the St. Petersburg Times after the meeting, Hamilton said that despite the criticism already directed his way and the ample warnings about the negative attitudes of some citizens, he was coming "with no hesitation whatsoever."

"It's an honor to finally be chosen and a privilege to be asked to serve in such a great organization as Hernando County," he said. "I willingly embrace the challenge."

Hamilton, now the county administrator of Crow Wing, Minn., will ask his current bosses next week whether they would allow him to leave sooner than the 60 days required in his contract "so I can join Hernando County as quickly as possible."

Rose Rocco was the only commissioner to express some concern about the contract terms Kingsley had negotiated with Hamilton. The starting salary was a concern, as was the six-month pay raise. She also questioned whether the county should pay for his continuing education and health insurance for his family.

While commissioners have been eager to have an administrator who stays awhile in the county, "I don't think just offering him a big piece of candy is going to do it," Rocco said.

Rocco and Commissioner David Russell did not vote to hire Hamilton, but Russell said the salary package was something that was advertised and negotiated. "Anything less would be like reneging on a promise, and we can't do that," he said.

Kingsley said Hernando was below what other similar-sized counties are paying administrators. As for helping to pay for Hamilton's continuing education, Kingsley said, "That is important to him. We did discuss that."

Commissioner Diane Rowden said the package is similar to that given to previous administrators and the county still couldn't keep them.

"We're not asking for the cheapest. We're asking for the best, and hopefully that's what we've got," she said.

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1434.

[Last modified February 5, 2008, 21:29:36]