County executive, legislators, clerk to benefit

Incoming Dutchess Executive Sue Serino and other county officials will receive hefty salary increases in 2024 under budget amendments approved on Nov. 15 by the Legislature’s Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee.

The vote, 9-3, was largely along party lines, with Randy Johnson, a Democrat representing the City of Poughkeepsie, voting with eight Republicans in favor of the raises, while all three “no” votes came from the committee’s other Democrats.

Serino, a Republican who defeated Democrat Tommy Zurhellen in this month’s general election, will receive $185,500 next year, compared to the current county executive salary, $157,424. County Clerk Brad Kendall will be paid 26 percent more ($150,000 versus $119,330).

The committee also approved a 56 percent raise for the Legislature’s chair (to $54,500), a 68 percent increase for legislators ($27,500) and a 81 percent boost for the majority and minority leaders ($45,500). Assistant party leaders would also receive a pay hike: 76 percent to $36,500. Committee chairs, who are currently unpaid, would receive $3,000 stipends beginning next year.

Legislator Will Truit, a Republican representing parts of Hyde Park and the Town of Poughkeepsie said the increases will “compensate for the position so that we can attract new candidates in the future.”

But Yvette Valdes Smith, the Democrats’ minority leader whose district includes Beacon, said: “I know how much we all give as public servants. However, this huge increase in salaries cannot be justified.”

A public hearing on the budget is set for Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. A vote to adopt the plan is scheduled for Dec. 7.

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Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

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5 replies on “Dutchess Committee Approves Large Raises”

  1. For once I agree with a Democrat! This huge increase cannot be justified. If I had known this before I would not have voted for the Republican ticket.

  2. Will Truitts’ insistence that higher pay will attract good candidates is a load of you-know-what. It doesn’t work that way and history can prove it. This seems more like tax ’n’ spend, even more so since the current budget proposal includes an increase in the county sales tax rate to 4 percent.

    What the arrogant Democrats, the majority in Albany, did in securing a 29 percent pay raise for themselves in 2022 is no different than what the Dutchess County Republican majority is proposing. As chair of the Conservative Party, this concerns me and my committee.

    Although it’s understandable that the part-time legislators may be due for a modest raise, it’s reprehensible that they’re looking at such an increase, especially during these economic times.

    We endorsed most of these Republicans for re-election because we thought they had conservative values, including fiscal responsibility. I ask the county Republicans: “Are these your true colors?” On a positive note, we’re pleased to hear that some Republican legislators are against this ridiculous pay hike.

  5. Republicans are all in favor of tax cuts for the rich and pay cuts for the working class, unless it benefits them. [via Instagram]

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