Hennepin County Commissioners Slam Brakes on Insane Pay Hike After Massive Backlash!
Hennepin County’s jaw-dropping plan to hike their own salaries by 49% just got torpedoed after furious residents rose up in protest! 🌐 #News #MinneapolisMN #Minnesota #Politics
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Hennepin County commissioners in Minneapolis have reversed their decision to implement a 49% pay increase after facing strong opposition from the public. The proposal, initially brought forward by District 2 Commissioner Irene Fernando on July 30, sparked widespread criticism and discontent among residents.
We reported on this insanity earlier, check out this article: Hennepin County Commissioners Give THEMSELVES a WHOPPING 49% Pay Raise!
Original Proposal and Justification
The original proposal, which was discussed during the Administration, Operations, and Budget Committee meeting, aimed to raise the maximum salary for commissioners from $122,225 to $182,141.
Fernando justified the significant increase by arguing that it would attract a more diverse pool of candidates to the commission. However, the proposal was met with a wave of criticism, leading Fernando to suggest scrapping the plan during a subsequent meeting on Tuesday.
Community Outcry and Its Impact
The community’s response was swift and vocal, with many residents attending the meeting to express their disapproval.
Protesters brought signs and banners, while hundreds more voiced their concerns on social media, some even calling for the commissioners to be voted out of office. The strong public reaction played a pivotal role in the commissioners’ decision to abandon the pay raise proposal.
Additional Salary Proposals Also Abandoned
Alongside the commissioners’ pay raise, another proposal to increase the salaries of the Hennepin County Sheriff and the Hennepin County Attorney to a maximum of $218,272 was also dropped.
This proposal had initially been passed unanimously but faced similar backlash following the commissioners’ pay raise controversy.
Comparative Salaries Highlight the Disparity
For context, the salary of Ramsey County commissioners, a smaller county with comparable pay structures, was recently increased by 3%, bringing their earnings to $104,077, with the chair earning $109,338.
In contrast, the governor of Minnesota’s salary is set at $149,550, and state commissioners’ pay is capped at $187,314. These figures highlight the significant disparity that would have resulted from the proposed pay raises in Hennepin County.
Looking Forward
With the proposal now abandoned, Commissioner Fernando indicated that future discussions on pay increases might take a different approach, potentially leading to more “palatable” options for both the commissioners and the community.
The recent events underscore the importance of community feedback in shaping county policies, especially when it comes to decisions involving taxpayer dollars.
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