Legislators Asked to Defer Salary Payments [Update]

Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell wants her colleagues to follow her lead and defer a handful of salary payments until December 2014.

Cornell voluntarily agreed to a deferred salary payment program this week. The program is modeled after part of last week’s approved Rockland Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) contract agreement.

As chairperson, Cornell receives $40,805 annually. All the other legislators are paid $32,857 anually.

Cornell sent a letter to other county legislators asking them to voluntarily take the same action.

“I have already signed the authorization to defer, and I urge you to join me in this program so we can demonstrate shared resolve with the county’s workforce as we continue to work together to improve the county’s finances,” Cornell said. 

According to the contract provision, CSEA employees will defer payment of 10 days work in 2012 and 2013 and receive compensation for those days in December of 2014. The Legislature is expected to vote to approve the CSEA, Rockland Association of Management (RAM) and Doctors’ Council contracts at its Wednesday, Sept. 19 meeting.  The other two contracts are similar to the CSEA agreement.

When elected officials and certain appointed officials are in office, the only way their salaries can only be changed is by local law. The county Personnel Commissioner distributed information on the program and a voluntary participation form. Signed forms must be returned to the personnel office by Monday, Sept. 24.