Scott:

Regarding wages, County employees have a Compensation Scale based on the position they hold. The Commissioners, over 10 years ago, hired a consultant to compare County positions, wages and compensation again adjoining politiical subdivisions (Counties, Cities, Townships, Villages) within Northeast Ohio. The consultant presented their survey and the Commissioners, at the time (Bill R, Jan N, and Neil H), made adjustments and then approved by public resolution.

I believe the employees are paying more towards their health care costs (the public retirement is mandated by the State of Ohio, not by the County).

If you are really interested in finding out more regarding salaries in the political subdivisions within Geauga County, just submit the Freedom of Information (FOI) Form to the Auditor (which you mentioned earlier) and they will provide all of the wages, salaries and expenses for any department within Geauga County.

Governement needs to change, and all politics are "local", so consolidation must take place...and it will...just takes time.

Good Luck....!

Geauga Property Owner...

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Dear GP: Thanks for the history on the Geauga County pay raises. Hmmm... So the "weasel in the woodpile" was a "consultant" (god, how I hate that word!) back a decade or so ago. I would be interested in seeing at that time what the county salaries were compared to what this bird said they "should be"... And I would like to know the percentage of health care that the county employees pay. It can't be more than 10% which is NOTHING... These folks start squealing if they have to pay ANY of their benefits like they are ENTITLED to public health care or something - that sounds like something out of the Obama playbook or some other unworkable liberal scheme...

I am NOT HAPPY about these salaries and my point has NOT been that the people aren't necessarily worth them, BUT THAT WE CANNOT SUBSTAIN THEM. NO WAY, NO HOW!

I am NOT going to stand by and watch this county sales tax go to 10% like California's or any STUPID taxing schemes to support these bloated and outrageous salaries. I have said it before and will say it again: If this taxing continues like the current trend, there will be a revolution in this country much like the original tea party!

As you say, government needs to change. The idiot in the White House is ADDING to government at a time when we need to trim which is INSANE to me! Likewise, our local elected officials need to DEMAND lower salaries, employees to pay for their health care, no perks, etc. Where does it say that if you are a teacher or a county worker that the taxpayers need to pay for your heath benefits? Did it every occur to the dopes in charge that if the WORKERS HAD TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE that they would lose weight, quit smoking and drinking stupidly and practice safer health habits? Right now why would they? If anything is wrong with their bodies, they can just go to the doctor on OUR DIME.

I would LOVE to know the figure of these county workers in terms of insurance premiums. It is in the tens of millions. Why? LET THEM PAY FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE LIKE I DO AND MANY OTHERS DO. I am at the correct weight for my age/build, I don't smoke, I work out, eat a healthy diet, etc. Why? BECAUSE I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN HEALTH CARE AND I DON'T WANT TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND PAY A GODDAMN BUNCH OF MONEY! I have a $5000 deductible insurance policy that works just fine! Why can't these public workers do the same?

Your whole perspective changes when YOU HAVE TO PAY THE BILL! These public workers have been on the "gravy train" for so long they feel entitled! Bullshit! Get ready for changes my coddled darlings! You have hit the brick wall of support from us.

I don't want to hear from ONE MORE idiot elected official who is doing business as usual. They MUST make changes and NOW.