The McLean County auditor position would be paid $25,000 less starting in 2021 under a plan which the County Board's Finance Committee approved on Wednesday.
The committee also voted to freeze the circuit clerk's salary at $105,389 in 2021 and 2022, while granting the county coroner a 3 percent raise in 2021 to $103,249. Illinois law forbids local government from changing elected officials' pay during an election term.
Finance Committee member Catherine Metzker, R-Carlock, said the cut in auditor's pay to $75,324 starting in 2021 was not a reflection of current auditor Michelle Anderson's performance.
"(It's) solely based on the job responsibilities for circuit clerk, the auditor and the coroner, not based on individuals or performance of those jobs," Metzker said.
The auditor's office lost three of its four employees to the county treasurer's office on Jan. 1.
Finance Committee Chairman David Selzer, R-Normal, said he voted "present" because he wanted to make clear he was not behind any perceived vendetta against Anderson.
"I've had people ask me if I was the one championing the cause of reducing the salary, and it's just not the case."
"I believe there's a couple of individuals who believe my passion could be mistaken sometimes as having a feeling toward eliminating the position," Selzer said. "I've had people ask me that this week. I've had people ask me if I was the one championing the cause of reducing the salary, and it's just not the case."
The committee's vote was 4-1, with Chuck Erickson, R-Bloomington, casting the only "no" vote.
Anderson was not available for comment following the meeting.
Selzer said he plans to speak with Anderson in the coming days to discuss ways the office could possibly be given added responsibilities in the future that might warrant higher pay. He added the committee plans to re-examine salaries of all elected officials every two years in an effort to set pay standards based on their qualifications and experience.
The McLean County Board will vote on the changes at its June 19 meeting.
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