Genesee County's Salary Saga: A New Executive Role, But No Big Pay Day

Well, it was certainly a lively discussion over at the Genesee County Board of Commissioners meeting recently! They've gone ahead and given the nod to a brand-new Executive Manager position, which, on the surface, sounds like a pretty straightforward administrative move. But, and this is where things get interesting, they very deliberately put the brakes on a rather hefty pay raise for the person everyone expected to slide right into that role: Barry June, the current Director of Parks and Recreation.

You see, the idea was championed by Commissioner Domonique Clemons, who really pushed for this new position to officially recognize the immense workload Barry June has been shouldering for years now. Apparently, since way back in 2018, June hasn't just been overseeing parks; he's been juggling a whole host of other departments too, acting almost as a de facto executive already. Clemons argued that this new role, complete with a bump from June's current $108,000 salary to a proposed $130,000 (and eventually $150,000 by 2028), was simply acknowledging reality and giving him fair compensation for all that extra responsibility.

But, as often happens in these public forums, not everyone was on the same page. Questions started popping up faster than dandelions in spring. Commissioner Reverend Gerald D. Powell, for instance, voiced some serious concerns about the timing. He felt it was a bit rushed, especially given the substantial financial implications. And Commissioner David W. Martin? He was pretty blunt, suggesting that a 20% raise, even over a few years, was just too much, especially when compared to what other dedicated department heads across the county were making. There was also a notable lack of a clear, formal job description for this "Executive Manager" role, which, understandably, raised a few eyebrows.

It really became a back-and-forth about fairness, process, and the broader picture of county salaries. Some commissioners worried about setting a precedent, wondering if other department heads, feeling equally overworked, would then come forward demanding similar raises. Others felt that June, while undoubtedly doing a great job, was already compensated quite well. It wasn't about his performance, they stressed, but about the magnitude of the raise and the lack of a structured approach.

So, what was the ultimate decision? After all that spirited debate, the board, in a 5-3 vote, agreed to create the position. Yes, the Executive Manager role is now officially on the books. However, in a rather significant twist, they voted to explicitly strip out the proposed salary increase for Barry June. Instead, they’ve requested a proper, detailed job description for this new role and have committed to reviewing the county's entire salary structure for similar positions. It’s a bit of a classic compromise, isn't it? A nod to the need for the role, but a firm "let's pump the brakes on the money" for now. It seems June will be getting the extra title and responsibility, but he'll have to wait a bit longer to see if a bigger paycheck comes with it.