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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Friday, July 19, 2024

NorCo Council Sets Salary for Council Clerk at $107,482, Deputy Clerk at $81,545.

Last night, Northampton County Council voted to set the salary for the Council Clerk at $107,482. It also established a new salary for Deputy Clerk at $81.545.  The vote on the Council Clerk salary was 8-1, with Council member Kelly Keegan being the sole dissenter. The vote on the Deputy Clerk was unanimous.

Keegan argued she is unaware of anyone who starts at the same salary as the person who retires from a position. She added that Council Clerks should get annual evaluations just like she does. Council member John Goffredo agreed with Keegan and said the salary is "bad business by us as the bosses."

Council member Ken Kraft, however, noted the precarious position under which Council Clerks work. They are considered "exempt" employees who lack the protection of career service regulations or a union contract. Council member John Brown added that the title "Council Clerk" is actually a misnomer because of the "complexity of the position."

Council President clarified a misperception by Goffredo and Keegan that the Council Clerk would be starting at the same salary being paid to Linda Zembo when she retired as Council Clerk. She said it is "not the same amount that Linda Zembo was paid."

That might be why Goffredo relented and voted Yes, but Keegan still voted No. 

Aline Shafnisky currently serves as Council's acting Clerk. 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those salaries for those positions are ludicrous. Yes, if the individual had the talents and skills to do the job (which comes only after years of experience in the office) I could see paying a higher salary.

Anonymous said...

Heckman needs to resign. He barely attends meetings, and tonight he stated he be abstaining from a vote and the voted ‘Yes’ without explanation. He is clearly unwell and very confused.

E Mest said...

Absolutely wrong! Work your way up just like everyone else has to do!

Anonymous said...

NC County Council is a total DISGRACE to the taxpayers they represent. They need to go! That salary is TOTALLY RIDICULOUS! There absolute NO REASON that position should get that HIGH of a salary -- NONE!!!! Other positions are exempt and work under the same conditions. DISGRACE!!!! TOTALLY INFURIATED!!!! I taxes better not go up!

Anonymous said...

Unlike in the City of Bethlehem government. If your last name is Evans, you rise to the top without working your way up. A part time lifeguard way back in the eighties qualifies you to be in charge of Recreational, well according to Donchez

Anonymous said...

Ferraro sat out her entire last term so don't play politics.

Anonymous said...

Heckman is the Joe Biden of Northampton County

Anonymous said...

Outrageous!!!

Beverly Hernandez said...

Well, Northampton County isn't allowing a local Republican group to do simple raffles for fun, citing all kinds of pure bullshit. Obfuscation and stalling tactics.

Anonymous said...

I find it VERY hard to believe that there were only five comments about this. That’s really suspicious to me and it makes me even more sure of the fact that you’re just a bias blogger. What a shame!

Anonymous said...

Who is the Deputy and what qualifications do they have that give them such an outrageous salary? I can tell you the other deputies in the county, who actually work, don’t make a fraction of $81k.

Anonymous said...

Lori made such a mess of this process. Why don’t they as Kraft suggested just give Eileen the job at the ridiculous salary ? Why drag this out any further. Employees are pissed.

Anonymous said...

Apparently, she’s more qualified than you since you’re jealous of the job

Anonymous said...

Bernie soon you will be able to vote for Kamala.

Anonymous said...

Jealous? Hardly. The deputies who bust their butts daily in civil and criminal deserve much more than the pennies they get paid. Nobody is jealous of you. Equal salaries across the board for all individuals with the same job title is what council should vote on. Apparently you’re special.

Anonymous said...

Bernie I told you can vote for Harris. Can you see her up against Putin. HA HA Ha

Anonymous said...

Other clerks do WAY more than that and they make less than $35000 per year. That is so out of whack with reality.