Johnson County’s BIG secret

Johnson County Commissioners enjoy big taxpayer paychecks for little work

In 2009 commissioner’s convened for a total of 194 hours in regular session or committee meetings, the Chairman of the Commission cashed a whopping $86,945 paycheck for the part time position, earning nearly $450 an hour. 

For the first half of 2010 the shame continues.  Only 79 hours were invested in public meetings, bringing hourly pay to over $550 an hour.

The Chairman of the Johnson County Commission is not a full time executive position unlike Jackson or Wyandotte County.   The chairman is simply one vote on the seven member body they chair. By charter the chairman should be paid 25% more than district commissioners ($49,841) so why are we paying nearly $25,000 more?

Although overseeing the largest local government on the Kansas half of the region, the Johnson County Commission is hoping no one will notice them.  In 2006 the Kansas City Star reported that only 8% of residents could identify the County Chairman.  If the position is so important, why can so few identify the Chairman?

Former Commissioner (2005-09), John Segale is running for Chairman on a platform to save taxpayers $210,000 annually by cutting all commissioner salaries to $25,000 (about what OP Mayor is paid).  John has been on the inside and is blowing the whistle on these overpaid politicians.