Date: 03/14/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1295

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Move HB06-1295 to the Committee of the Whole. ThePASS


02:04 PM -- House Bill 06-1295

Senator Hanna, prime sponsor, introduced HB06-1295 and explained that this bill was a product of legislation that was passed in 2005, which approved a county salary commission to study the salaries of county officials. Senator Hanna explained that this commission recommended a readjustment to the salaries of county officials and spoke to all of the groups that are in support of the bill. Senator Hanna responded to questions from the committee regarding the different salary increases that were considered; one option would have included cost of living adjustments in the proposed salary increases.


02:10 PM

Douglas Bruce, El Paso County Commission, testified, on behalf of himself, against HB06-1295 and indicated that county elected officials are currently overpaid and that these increases are not warranted (see attachment A). Mr. Bruce spoke to concerns that these salary increases will create further burdens on county budgets. Mr. Bruce felt that this bill will take political responsibility away from the local county officials. Mr. Bruce addressed questions from the committee regarding requirements within the Colorado Constitution for the state legislature to establish the salaries of elected county officials.


02:23 PM

Mike Blanton, Jackson County Commission, testified against HB06-1295, and voiced concerns that these required salary increases will create a large burden on smaller counties that have limited budgets. Commissioner Blanton addressed comments and questions from the committee.


02:27 PM

Chip Taylor, Colorado Counties Inc., testified in support of HB06-1295 and spoke to the process of how the recommended salary increase was reached by the salary commission. Mr. Taylor explained that the commission included representation from each type of elected county official and all five county categories. Mr. Taylor addressed questions regarding the two different salary options that were considered by the salary commission, and explained that this bill will bring everyone up to a standard level to eliminate the salary disparities between county commissioners and other elected officials. Mr. Taylor addressed questions concerning the number of counties that have waived term limits and spending limits ("de-Bruce"). Mr. Taylor also addressed questions regarding the county salaries and how counties could potentially side-step the statutory requirements to control the salaries of elected officials.


02:49 PM

Kathay Rennels, Larimer County Commission; Chair, County Elected Officials' Salary Commission, testified in support of the bill and spoke to the process of the County Salary Commission and how this bill will solve the problems of past failures to increase the salaries of elected county officials. Mrs. Rennels addressed questions regarding the workloads of county commissioners and spoke to the inflationary compensation, in HB06-1295, that will remedy the disparity between county commissioner salaries.


02:59 PM

Teak Simonton, Eagle County Clerk and Recorder, testified in support of HB06-1295 and handed out a letter of support from the Eagle County Commissioners (Attachment B).


03:00 PM

Karen Shaffer, Eagle County Assessor, testified in support of HB06-1295.


03:01 PM

Sam Pace, Saguache County Commission, testified in support of HB06-1295 and spoke to the need to increase the salaries for elected county officials due to how hard these individuals work for their respective counties.


03:04 PM

Wesley Reiber, Larimer County Coroner, testified in support of the bill and spoke to his role on the salary commission and explained that the salary commission produced an excellent product in its recommendation for HB06-1295.


03:07 PM

Senator Hanna entered closing comments on HB06-1295
BILL:HB06-1295
TIME: 03:07:45 PM
MOVED:Hanna
MOTION:Move HB06-1295 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 5-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Yes
Entz
No
Jones
No
Kester
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Groff
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:08 PM

The meeting adjourned.