“When a fellow says it hain’t the money but the principle o’ the thing, it’s th’ money…”

–Hoss Sense and Nonsense, 1926

Sometimes during the legislative process, through the mind-numbing presentations, contrived distractions, and infuriating political posturing – a moment of schadenfreude emerges that makes me chuckle. 

That perverse pleasure I derive from watching stuffed shirt politicians wiggle and squirm over minor, but politically charged, issues – like whether or not they deserve a raise…

For instance, anyone remember back in 2021 when a previous iteration of the Volusia County Council voted 4-3 against a ballot initiative that could have resulted in a substantial pay increase?

For the record, Volusia County is different from many Florida counties in that our charter overrides the state mandate that defers to the legislature in setting salaries for elected commissioners. 

In Volusia, our charter states:

“The salary of a council member shall be 50% of that prescribed by law for the office of county commissioner. The salary for the county chair shall be 60% of that prescribed by law for the office of county commissioner. The salaries shall constitute full compensation for all services and in-county expenses, except that out-of-county expenses, as permitted by law, shall be authorized.”

Without that limitation, the legislative recommendation for Volusia County Council members would have gifted them an obscene $95,596 a year…

At present, the Chair commands $57,351 – while each of the district council members receive an ample annual salary of $47,798 – essentially for attending two meetings a month and schlepping around to a slate of ceremonial timewasters that never seem to improve our quality of life or lower our already exorbitant tax rate…

Damn.  If $48K doesn’t cover incidentals, I don’t know what will…

During a 2020 workshop, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth from our elected officials about how the position is far from a part-time gig, complaints about the cost of gas, and the imposition on their time that comes with fielding the piddling problems of their constituents. 

With many asset limited/income constrained Volusia County families struggling to find affordable housing, our elected elite had the unmitigated gall to publicly wallow in their own egotistic angst over how terribly expensive shameless self-promotion has become for politicians.

So, at the time, the Volusia County Council tuned their proverbial guitars to the doghouse bass and moaned the Poor Mouth Blues – openly mewling about out-of-pocket expenses, a lack of personal assistants or a vehicle allowance, and the high cost of their automobile insurance – before determining how to best couch ballot language for a pay increase that gullible voters might swallow.

Ultimately, it didn’t go anywhere – but it was fun to watch…  

Last year, the Palm Coast City Council voted itself a 151% increase for council members and hefty 163% bump for the mayor and added health benefits.

Last week, the Daytona Beach City Commission had the uncomfortable discussion about whether to increase their $23,650 annual stipend – and the $41,059 the mayor receives – with the majority agreeing that, after 17-years, it is time for an upward adjustment.

Perhaps it is. 

Now, the City Commission must appoint a citizens advisory committee to explore salary changes at least one-year ahead of the November 2024 election.

In a recent article by Eileen Zaffiro-Kean in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, we learned that, due to city charter constraints, “An ordinance increasing commission salaries has to be adopted at least six months prior to the next regular city election. So commissioners would have to take their first vote on a pay hike by April 17 next year, and they would have to adopt the measure no later than May 1, 2024.”

According to the report, “City Commissioner Dannette Henry, the mayor’s sister, said the rising price of gas is one reason the raises are needed.

“It’s very expensive to be at all the events,” she said.

While the mayor and commissioner positions are considered part-time, that’s not the reality for those who make themselves accessible to their constituents and go to the many meetings and events held in addition to commission meetings.

City Commissioner Stacy Cantu said she logs more than 40 hours per week handling her commission duties.

“My emails and phone never stop,” Cantu said. “All the gas money comes out of my pocket.”

Cantu said she didn’t become a commissioner for the money.

“But I didn’t get into this to lose money,” she said.”

My God. 

These tales of the depravities of poverty in public service are like something out of an old Flann O’Brian novel…

Look, I realize that most politicians have a high opinion of themselves – but building resentment by publicly complaining about their remuneration in front of the tax-strapped folks who foot the bill (after they begged us for the job with the full knowledge of what it paid) is never a good look.

In fact, it’s loutish.

For the record, according to United States Census Bureau statistics (2021 dollars), Volusia County’s per capita income is $32,231 – with 13.8% of the population living in poverty.  

In the City of Daytona Beach, per capita income is just $26,196, with an astounding 21.8% of residents living at or below the federal poverty line (which, for a single-person household is $14,580, adding $5,140 for each additional person.)   

Perhaps our ‘powers that be’ have finally gotten a small taste of what financially strapped Volusia County families deal with every day – and the burden isn’t attending some stilted meeting, grip-n-grin, gilded soiree, Tallahassee hot air generator or political hobnob – but the real and ongoing struggle of keeping a roof over their children’s heads and putting food on the table.

I wholeheartedly agree:  It is time We, The Little People changed the way in which our local county and municipal elected officials are compensated for their “public service.” 

Look, elective service is a demanding and often thankless task that invites constant criticism from blowhards like me; yet each election cycle the same perennial politicians fight tooth-and-nail to seek and retain seats on the dais of power – even selling their political souls to the highest bidder to amass the campaign funds required to compete – knowing full well what the job pays before entering the ring.

In my view, public service is a privilege – one that requires sacrifice – giving back and devoting oneself to a cause greater than our own self-interests, while living up to the sacred trust that says those we elect will have our collective best interests at heart and give of themselves to improve our lives and livelihoods.  

The real reward being the knowledge that each day in office they have the opportunity and responsibility to make their community, county, or state a better place for everyone.

I have an idea.

Perhaps, in the true spirit of public service, we simply make our elected officials whole – reimbursing them for all out-of-pocket expenses, milage, and approved travel as required – with a reasonable cap and regular audits to prevent abuse.  

In my view, that is a fair, equitable, and across-the-board solution that eliminates these recurring compensation arguments – and the inevitable hurt feelings on both sides of the dais – so that the only expenditure our elected representatives have is their time and talents in service to their constituents.