During a Clark County Council meeting last Wednesday, council members approved a consent‑agenda package that would raise pay for county executives and add new severance benefits. The package includes top‑of‑range salary increases of up to 35%, a 3.3% raise for managers, and a contract template that provides three months of severance plus benefits.
Tax‑increase backdrop
Councilor Sue Marshall, who has been identified by a local observer as the council member backing $17‑$20 million in annual tax increases, and Councilor Glen Yung were highlighted for their roles in recent tax‑raising measures. The council’s plan to keep spending levels high comes as the county’s own forecasts show a structural deficit. The General Fund gap is projected to run between $8 million and $14 million each year through 2030, even after the adoption of new revenue sources.
Historical spending and compensation trends
In 2022, the County Manager earned $180,000. The council approved a 20% raise over three years, bringing the salary to about $219,000. In April of this year, the council unanimously approved a two‑year contract that added roughly 9% on May 1, raising the salary to $238,880, with an additional 6% increase effective Jan. 1, bringing the salary to $250,824. Those raises were approved at the same meeting where councilors voted to implement a new sales tax to address a shortfall for deputy funding.
Consent agenda concerns
The pay‑raise package is placed on a consent agenda, meaning it will pass with a single vote and without public discussion. The council’s paperwork indicates no public outreach was conducted for this item. Critics argue that bundling significant compensation changes with other agenda items limits transparency and public input.
Political context
Councilor Marshall is not on the ballot this year but has endorsed Republican candidate Troy McCoy, who opposes Amendment 25—a charter amendment that would require four of five councilors to agree before raising taxes. McCoy has stated that the 80% threshold is too high, aligning with the council’s current approach to tax flexibility.
Public reaction
Local residents and observers have expressed concern that the county is increasing both taxes and executive compensation while facing a budget gap. The lack of debate on the consent agenda has been cited as a procedural issue that reduces accountability.
For a full discussion of the council’s agenda, listeners can refer to Reformcast episode 40, which covers the upcoming vote in detail.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
