SUNBURY - A proposal Tuesday by Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy to reduce the salaries of all elected county officials by 50 percent would save the county more than $350,000 per year, while a 25 percent reduction would result in a savings of approximately $175,000.
Bridy's motion to reduce the salaries by 25 to 50 percent, which appears to have the support of Commissioner Vinny Clausi, was tabled for further review by solicitor Frank Garrigan. Before the motion
was tabled, Commissioner Richard Shoch said he would oppose it because the issue just surfaced at the meeting and wasn't discussed beforehand.
Clausi said he proposed a similar motion to the board after taking office in 2008, but then-Commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki did not support it.
The commissioners have the authority to reduce salaries for elected officials, but debate remains over how much salaries can be cut.
Currently, the 12 county elected officials receive a combined salary of $709,151.
The following is a breakdown of the salaries:
Commissioners Bridy, Clausi and Shoch, $61,000 each.
Jury commissioners George Dorko and Samuel Deitrick, $10,456 each (positions expected to be abolished at the end of 2013).
Treasurer Kevin Gilroy, $53,834.
Coroner James F. Kelley, $53,834.
Controller Anthony Phillips, $56,676.
Sheriff Chad Reiner, $53,834.
District Attorney Tony Rosini, $172,271.
Prothonotary Kathleen Strausser, $57,396.
Register and Recorder Mary Zimmerman, $57,396.