Long Refuses Salary Hike, Is Criticized by Morgan

Saying she can’t take a raise while others are facing budget cuts, Supervisor Chairwoman Kathy Long turned down a 5% salary increase Tuesday.

Her opponent in the November election, Mike Morgan, immediately called Long’s move political grandstanding.

“I am hoping all those who read the paper will see through this,” said Morgan, vice mayor of Camarillo. “It’s politically expedient for her to do this now.”

But Long wouldn’t let Morgan draw her into a fight over the money.

“I will stand by what the facts are,” she said.

Long said it was inappropriate for her to accept a raise when other departments are facing tough cuts and those getting pay hikes are averaging about 3% or 4% increases.

“It’s a personal decision and not meant to reflect on other board members,” she said.

Supervisors voted in July to give themselves a 5% raise, or 70% of the salary of a county judge. Long and Supervisor Susan Lacey voted against the raise, worth about $5,531 a year.

County judges now make $122,628 a year, while supervisors, with the 5% raise, make $85,364. Supervisors’ raises are capped at 5% a year.

“The board this year has adopted a balanced budget and kept its A+ credit ratings largely because everyone in the county family tightened their belts,” Long said. Under such circumstances, she continued, a raise would not be acceptable.

In 1992 supervisors passed an ordinance tying their raises to a percentage of Ventura County judges’ salaries.

“It’s a personal decision and should not reflect on other board members,” Long said. “It’s hitting my personal pocket book and my family.”

Taxpayer advocates have criticized the raises, saying supervisors should not be getting bigger salaries while the county is so strapped for cash.

Morgan said raises should be based on merit and not done automatically. He said if he were on the board he wouldn’t have accepted the raise either.

“She [Long] is hoping this decision will help her look good,” Morgan said.

Supervisor Frank Schillo also described Long’s move as political grandstanding. He said she voted against the raise last year but took the money anyway.

When supervisors voted on their raises, Schillo said, Long initially voted for it, and a few minutes later changed her mind and voted against it.

“I feel sorry for her constituents who have to put up with this political chicanery,” he said.

Schillo said he has done his part in cutting spending. He said his office returned $26,000 to the general fund this year, and that he only has one full-time employee.

Long’s office says she has returned $115,000 to the general fund over the past four years.