Kane Co. director salary example of larger debate
The Kane County Public Health Department’s debate over the salary for a new animal shelter director could be an example of a larger battle in the county budget and in court.
After a recent lengthy executive session, county officials announced the director of the county’s animal shelter had resigned. A temporary replacement moved over from the health department while county officials work to find a full-time replacement.
Health department Executive Director Paul Kuehnert pitched a plan to the county’s public health committee this week to fill the director slot by advertising the position with an annual salary ranging of $75,000 to $95,000.
Committee members told Kuehnert the range is excessive, considering the work the director does. For instance, the director who resigned was not a veterinarian, so the county pays an additional $22,000 for a veterinarian to care for animals at the shelter.
“I think $75,000 to $95,000 for this position is too high if we’re talking about a non-veterinarian,” said committee member Bonnie Kunkel of Aurora. “In Aurora, they pay their shelter director from $53,000 to $76,000, and they have more animals on a daily basis in their facility and the director oversees more employees. The salary range needs to get moved down substantially.”
Kuehnert argued that the higher salary range attracts a better candidate, but a majority of the committee disagreed. They also believed the director should be a veterinarian and have administrative skills. The committee directed Kuehnert to come back with a salary comparable to that of other counties.
Members indicated they’re willing to hire a less experienced person to save money. Kuehnert said the position is senior management and worthy of the higher range.
In that argument lies the basis for what may be a future battle.
A lawsuit is working its way through the court system accusing county board Chairman Karen McConnaughay of giving raises to 15 county employees in senior management without votes by the county board. The lawsuit was filed by Jim MacRunnels, a McConnaughay political rival who contends the raises may cost taxpayers more than $20 million in salary and pension costs.
McConnaughay has countered, through the Kane County state’s attorney’s office, that the board did indeed vote in favor of the raises by approving the county budget, which included the raises.
The lawsuit is back in court later this month. The new debate on the animal shelter director’s salary may show the county board will pay closer attention to top-level salaries when budget discussions begin for 2012. Such discussions should begin in a few months.