I have to wonder in this day and age of low paying jobs in and around this county I have been reading in this forum about, WHY OH WHY do we have to give this guy Alsup a 10% raise? I know many people in and around this area that would love to make $81,598.40 yearly and could manage well on that amount. If you would take a look at the average income in this county you will find it is lower than alot of others in this state. It is difficult for me to understand why these modern day Robin Hoods, (the two county commisioners) that voted for this raise, would take from the poor and give to the rich? Camelita is right. He was making plenty enough to sustain him. Why did he need that raise?  I wish someone could tell me what person couldn't live on $80 thousand a year....unless they are living too large.


Alsup receives pay increase

The County Commission voted 2-1 on Tuesday morning to give County Administrator Leroy Alsup a 10 percent salary increase.

Commissioner Carmelita Clarkson voted against the raise.

Amendments were made to bring Alsup's contract up to date, and raise his annual base salary from $81,598.40 to $90,001.60.

"He's picked up the ball with our employees, the jail project and others," said Chairman Dick Bonfy. "We have brought our salaries more in line with other county administrators in counties of the same size."

Commissioner Gary Wilson agreed that Alsup had "done a good job."

Clarkson said it was not a good time to hand out such a large raise.

"I think the salary should have stayed the same," said Clarkson. "We're cutting people, trying to save taxpayer's dollars. I'm there to represent the taxpayers, and I think he's probably getting more (money) than most in the county."

The commission also voted to authorize the purchase of a new car for the Community Corrections Department. That wasn't unanimous, either.

The vote was 2-1 and Clarkson was again the one commissioner to vote against the purchase order, saying she cannot "justify paying more for this car when we've cut the budget in other departments."

According to a letter from Michael Knapp, director of Community Corrections, the department was allotted $14,000 from a grant to buy a vehicle for transporting clients.

But Knapp wrote that a new vehicle would serve their needs for a longer period of time, provide a full warranty and need less money for maintenance. So the department asked the commission for help to pay for the price of a new car.

It received a bid for $17,953 for a new 2008 Chevy Impala from Merle Snider, which was the lowest bid.

In other business, the commission voted to authorize the appointment of members on the Cowley County Mental Health & Counseling Center Board of Directors. Froma Wolc and Jon Von Achen were both reappointed, while Jim Hinegardner and Rebecca Cunningham were appointed as new members.

The commission authorized the issuance of a purchase order for $31,530 so that the county appraiser's office can purchase two 2008 Ranger XLT Super Cab 4x4 pickups.