Democratic chairman says McCoy should return salary paid for hours not worked
Published: Saturday, October 10, 2009 1:16 AM EDT
VERNON — Democratic Town Chairman Tom Didio is asking Republican Mayor Jason L. McCoy to return salary he’s been paid for hours he’s not yet worked, after learning the mayor has received his pay in lump sum payments.
Didio said McCoy routinely has been paid for time he hasn’t worked, and should go on a traditional biweekly pay schedule like other town staff.
“The mayor claims to be fiscally responsible, yet he and his fellow Republicans seem to always have their hands in the honey pot,” Didio said recently. “Why is he being able to get this privilege when no one else is getting this privilege?”
According to payroll records, McCoy has received his part-time, $20,749 annual salary in installments since January 2008, shortly after he took office.
McCoy was paid $13,000 on Jan. 28, 2008; $20,748 on July 31, 2008; and most recently, $7,581 on July 1, 2009, records show. The most recent payment covers the mayor’s salary until November.
The mayor also has received two stipends of $700 and $600 for opting out of the town’s health insurance benefits, records show.
McCoy, who is running for re-election this year against Democratic challenger Michele Arn, did not return calls for comment.
Town Attorney Hal Cummings said the mayor’s salary is determined by charter and is seldom changed. However, the charter doesn’t dictate the mayor’s compensation schedule.
“There’s nothing that says he gets paid quarterly or weekly or biweekly or whatever — I don’t see an issue here,” he said.
Former two-term Democratic Mayor Ellen Marmer, whom McCoy defeated in 2007, said she took her salary on a biweekly schedule, and said she was appalled McCoy was receiving his pay in advance.
“To me it’s unconscionable,” she said.
The issue also is before the state Freedom of Information Commission after Democratic Councilman Michael Winkler filed a complaint seeking information relating to the mayor’s salary.
He requested payroll records and any signed agreements about the mayor’s salary schedule.
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