The Jefferson County Council on May 26 approved increased compensation for members on the Board of Building Appeals and the Board of Equalization.
The council will need to vote two more times on the bills at a future meeting to make it official, likely at the June 8 regular meeting.
The council voted unanimously on the bills, amending the county’s code of ordinances to allow the raises.
For the Board of Building Appeals, a line reading “compensation of members shall be determined by an ordinance of the County Council,” was replaced with a set rate of $25 per meeting attended. According to the county’s website, this board looks at applications for variances to the adopted county building codes. The board hears cases on an as-needed basis, and members serve three-year terms.
The Building Appeals Board currently has no members.
For the Board of Equalization, instead of receiving $50 per attended meeting, members will receive $100. The board analyzes appeals submitted by property owners regarding assessments. Members meet on an as-needed basis and serve three-year terms.
The Board of Equalization members are Chuck Telle and Cort Dietz.
Councilman Bob Tullock (District 7, House Springs) said the pay increase for members on the Board of Equalization was deserved.
“I’ve sat in on a number of these meetings, and this commission could (meet) for two hours, it could be five hours,” he said. “It’s a rather lengthy discussion that they go through. A lot of people don’t realize that not only do they sit on the board, but they also go out and do field reviews. They look at some of these properties, and that’s important.”
While Councilman Brian Haskins (District 1, High Ridge) ultimately voted in favor of the bills, he said he would have liked to see sweeping pay increases or compensation for all county boards and commissions.
In 2022, the council allotted $10,000 in the budget to pay Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission members attendance stipends. Members receive $40 per meeting and the chairman $50 a meeting.
The board, which hears requests on land-use issues in unincorporated Jefferson County, usually meets twice a month.
“There was a part of me that wanted to not vote for this or try to amend this, but I’ve decided that baby-stepping might be the best way to get this accomplished,” Haskins said.
“I’m glad to see that after several years, we’ve got a little movement on the boards and commissions, and I’m glad to see it happen finally. I think we should continue putting the other boards and commissions (on the agenda), and for them to be compensated when they show up. Even if it’s a minimal $25, it’s nice that we cover their gas.”
Later in the meeting, Haskins called for a vote to put on the council’s next meeting agenda a bill providing a $25 per meeting stipend for Parks and Recreation Board members. The board meets at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every other month. Members serve four-year terms.
The Parks and Recreation Board members are Lori Wolk, Samantha Spencer, Dwayne Ruble, Michael Sekelsky, Tim Goett and Alicia Peters. There is currently one vacancy on the board.
“We’ve been working on (board compensation) for five years,” Haskins said. “I think I’ve been pretty patient, but I’d like to have this wrapped up before I leave office in December.”
Haskins’ term ends on Dec. 31, and he has not filed for reelection. He was first elected to the council in 2018.
Haskins’ vote for the $25 per meeting stipend for Parks and Recreation members failed 6-1, with Haskins casting the sole “yes” vote.
Councilman Tim Brown (District 6, De Soto) said he wouldn’t support Haskins’ bill because the council’s legal counsel is already reviewing the legality of providing compensation for all the county’s boards and commissions.
“I think (the bill) may not be ready by the next meeting,” he said.
Counselor Jason Cordes said the county must comply with provisions laid out in Missouri law, which governs different boards and commissions.
“The two bills we passed this evening were the ones that were easiest, low-hanging fruit, I guess you might say,” County Executive Dennis Gannon said. “They had the least amount of restrictions.”