[0:00] going to go ahead and get
[0:03] started, guys.
[0:05] >> This webinar is being
[0:08] recorded and summarized.
[0:09] >> Okay. Welcome everybody. I'm
[0:12] going to call to order the
[0:14] meeting of the Compensation
[0:16] Review Commission on Wednesday,
[0:20] DECEMBER 17th, 2025, at
[0:24] whatever time it actually is.
[0:29] Six 3634 okay, I'm going to
[0:32] call the roll, okay. Ellen
[0:34] Flynn Gile present. Scott
[0:37] Horton present. Maura Dunnigan
[0:41] Rashida George present. Ginnie
[0:43] Gick.
[0:44] >> Present.
[0:47] >> Kia Payne.
[0:48] >> Present.
[0:50] >> And we know that MR. Ponnuri
[0:52] is absent. He has already
[0:53] informed us of that and will
[0:56] hope that Maura makes it before
[0:59] the end of the meeting. So the
[1:02] first thing on the agenda is to
[1:07] approve the minutes of DECEMBER
[1:11] 3rd. Can I have a motion to
[1:13] approve?
[1:14] >> a motion to approve the
[1:16] minutes from DECEMBER 3rd?
[1:17] >> I'll second.
[1:20] >> Okay. All in favor or any
[1:21] discussion? Any discussion?
[1:22] Does anybody have any
[1:25] corrections or adjustments or
[1:27] anything? Okay then I'll go
[1:29] down. I'll go down the the list
[1:32] again for I just to make sure
[1:35] Ellen Flynn Gile I Scott Horton.
[1:41] I Rashida George. I Ginnie Gick
[1:45] I and Kia Peyton.
[1:45] >> I.
[1:47] >> So that's unanimous for the
[1:50] members present. And now we
[1:52] move on to discussion of
[1:54] outstanding questions. Do you
[1:57] have anything in particular to
[1:58] advance on, or is there
[2:01] something we need to establish.
[2:03] >> Yeah, I can go through
[2:04] quickly some questions that I
[2:05] have, and then we can open it
[2:07] up for any other commission
[2:08] members that want to talk about
[2:10] the draft. I'm going to share
[2:14] my screen. Okay. This is the
[2:16] draft of the report that was
[2:20] shared with you by email. Yes.
[2:22] And I am going to scroll down
[2:25] to the top of page three. I
[2:29] added a paragraph briefly
[2:30] explaining the Commission's
[2:32] decision on their preliminary
[2:33] recommendations. That's new
[2:34] language since our last meeting.
[2:36] So I wanted to give you a
[2:41] chance to take a look at that.
[2:42] >> And that was what we agreed
[2:45] to insert, to make it clear
[2:47] that we took advice from
[2:48] counsel.
[2:49] >> Yeah, I can't remember who,
[2:50] but somebody asked that we
[2:51] mention it.
[2:54] >> It was Joel Hurwitz.
[2:55] >> Oh, right. Yeah. Member of
[2:56] the public.
[2:58] >> a member of the public. And
[3:00] I think it was necessary to
[3:03] explain why we changed. Why
[3:05] what was an initial change? I
[3:07] mean, that that was important.
[3:08] So okay, I don't does anybody
[3:10] have any questions about that
[3:12] or any comments.
[3:14] >> No. I think that was helpful.
[3:16] So yeah definitely helpful okay.
[3:19] >> Okay I'm gonna move on. The
[3:21] section is yellow is what Maura
[3:24] had written in justification of
[3:26] the salary increase for council
[3:28] members. I just wanted to
[3:30] highlight that for you, since
[3:32] that was new from our first
[3:33] draft, but I didn't get any
[3:35] email comments on that, so I'm
[3:36] going to.
[3:37] >> It was pretty
[3:38] straightforward. Yeah, I think
[3:39] reflected the discussion.
[3:40] >> Absolutely.
[3:41] >> Yeah. Anybody else have
[3:43] anything to add? I want to make
[3:45] sure because now I can only see
[3:46] okay, Rashida name is huge. And
[3:48] the rest of you are a little
[3:50] teeny tiny words at the bottom.
[3:51] So I just want to make sure
[3:56] everybody, everybody gets heard.
[3:57] Okay.
[3:58] >> This is key. I thought it
[3:59] was really great.
[4:00] >> Okay, good.
[4:02] >> Thank you. Yeah. Thanks. And
[4:03] thanks to Maura.
[4:05] >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[4:06] >> And I think we said thanks
[4:07] tomorrow, but thanks again,
[4:09] Maura. But definitely again
[4:10] really helpful. And I think
[4:14] it's just comprehensive.
[4:15] >> Good. Okay.
[4:17] >> Good and I agree.
[4:18] >> Yay. Okay.
[4:20] >> Just two more short things.
[4:21] I had a request to clarify that
[4:24] the vote was unanimous.
[4:26] >> Okay. And then on all of the
[4:28] on both recommendations, right.
[4:29] >> Yes.
[4:30] >> Okay.
[4:34] >> And then. Zoning board
[4:35] members who are also County
[4:37] Council members get $100 for
[4:39] each meeting. Yes. We hadn't
[4:40] specifically talked about this
[4:42] when we voted on the
[4:43] recommendations. I just wanted
[4:44] to make sure the commission
[4:46] didn't have any changes to that
[4:47] amount.
[4:49] >> Is that within our scope?
[4:51] >> It was four years ago.
[4:52] >> Yeah. I mean, I think it is
[4:54] one of the one of the extra
[4:56] pieces and it was listed on the
[4:58] schedule. But I think we sort
[5:00] of, as I recall it, at the
[5:01] beginning, we asked, were there
[5:03] any questions about those? And
[5:05] I don't think we delineated
[5:08] them, but I think we said those,
[5:10] those particular awards, the
[5:12] technology, the, you know, the
[5:13] and asked if anybody had any
[5:15] questions because we had heard
[5:17] nothing about those in
[5:18] particular. There was no
[5:20] testimony about raising those
[5:23] or removing those or adjusting,
[5:24] you know, adjusting those in
[5:26] any way. So I think we did that
[5:28] at the beginning in order to
[5:30] take care of something that was
[5:32] pretty fit within a box that
[5:33] everybody felt comfortable
[5:35] about. So I think we did. I
[5:36] don't just don't think we
[5:38] listed each one of them. Okay.
[5:41] So I'm fine is everybody else.
[5:42] Is that the intent that we had
[5:44] that those stay the same?
[5:45] That's how I remember it.
[5:48] >> Yeah okay okay. And then the
[5:50] last thing is for the first
[5:52] year of the county executive
[5:54] salary based on previous years
[5:56] legislation, it looks like they
[5:58] usually set an initial floor.
[5:58] >> And then use.
[5:59] >> And then use that.
[6:01] >> We'd have to vote on that
[6:02] because that would be different
[6:03] than what we discussed.
[6:05] >> You can yeah. If you want to
[6:07] vote on that. The cpi for this
[6:08] period would have been 3%
[6:10] anyway. So it would be 2.5%.
[6:12] But yeah, if you want to okay.
[6:14] >> The cpi from 26 right to
[6:16] drive $27.
[6:18] >> Because did we put in there
[6:23] about the. Okay. This was one
[6:24] of the things I wanted to make
[6:26] sure that we were using the cpi
[6:27] based on the Washington
[6:27] Baltimore.
[6:29] >> Yeah I think that's in there.
[6:30] You know.
[6:30] >> Baltimore Towson.
[6:32] >> Yeah. And so when I think
[6:33] that's issued SEPTEMBER 3rd, I
[6:35] think it runs SEPTEMBER. They
[6:35] they calculate SEPTEMBER
[6:38] through SEPTEMBER. So I think
[6:40] that that is issued in
[6:40] SEPTEMBER.
[6:43] >> Yeah, I think for budgeting
[6:44] reasons, they usually use the
[6:46] report that covers.
[6:47] >> The prior year.
[6:49] >> Calendar year prior. So okay,
[6:51] if you look at the legislation
[6:55] that was drafted, it states
[6:57] that it uses the cpi from the
[6:59] year that ends DECEMBER 31st.
[7:02] >> Okay, okay. I'm fine given
[7:04] the raise or just letting cpi
[7:05] ride and then they get the 3%
[7:07] or whatever. I don't I don't
[7:09] particularly I mean you're
[7:11] talking not a big difference.
[7:12] >> I mean if that if that's
[7:14] what how it needs to be written.
[7:16] And we wrote it to be whatever
[7:21] we said then I think that's. I
[7:22] don't think I don't think we
[7:24] specified they were going to do
[7:25] it based on 26, because we're
[7:27] in fiscal year 26 right now. So
[7:28] it's again, are we talking
[7:29] about a count.
[7:31] >> Well they have they got to
[7:32] count for the budget. Right. So
[7:34] yeah I think what he's saying
[7:36] is they have to use it. They
[7:37] have to use what. They already
[7:38] have budget in time.
[7:40] >> Right. Yeah. Right. Yeah. So
[7:41] if, if you want to I don't
[7:43] think you have to vote on this.
[7:45] But if you, if you want a
[7:46] motion, you can just motion
[7:48] that for the first year 2026
[7:49] they have a 2.5% increase.
[7:51] >> I think we do have to vote
[7:51] on that.
[7:52] >> Well, no.
[7:53] >> We voted on.
[7:55] >> The 26 is what the 26, the
[7:56] JANUARY 26th increase which
[8:00] would be voted is already in
[8:01] place. Right. So we're talking
[8:03] about what would take place in
[8:03] JANUARY of 27.
[8:04] >> That's correct.
[8:05] >> Yeah. Okay.
[8:06] >> Yeah.
[8:08] >> The way he has worded is
[8:10] correct okay. So does anybody
[8:11] have any opinion on whether we
[8:21] change the language to 2.5% or.
[8:23] >> Is everybody comfortable
[8:25] with the language that's there
[8:26] or do they want.
[8:27] >> I'm comfortable. This is
[8:28] Rashida I'm comfortable with it.
[8:30] >> So we just need a motion.
[8:32] >> This is key I'm fine okay.
[8:33] >> I'm good okay.
[8:35] >> So we need a motion to
[8:36] accept the the language as.
[8:38] >> So I'll make a motion to
[8:39] change the language for 2027,
[8:42] for the county executive to
[8:44] include a 2.5% increase over
[8:50] the 26 2026. Yeah.
[8:53] >> And I'll second. And then I
[8:55] think we can just do an
[8:58] affirmation here. All in favor.
[8:59] >> I.
[9:01] >> I.
[9:04] >> I any opposed any
[9:06] abstentions, any questions okay.
[9:07] I think we're I think we're
[9:08] good.
[9:09] >> That's all for me then.
[9:11] >> Okay. Does anybody else have
[9:14] anything they want to bring
[9:17] forward before we talk about
[9:21] what comes next?
[9:22] >> It's just presenting it.
[9:23] Right okay. That's all we have
[9:25] left is presented in JANUARY
[9:27] after you finalize it.
[9:29] >> Yep. Once the commission
[9:30] approves the report today, I'll
[9:31] get Ellen's signature on it.
[9:34] And then I will transmit it to
[9:36] the council, probably tomorrow
[9:36] morning.
[9:37] >> Okay, okay.
[9:38] >> And then the legislation
[9:40] will be introduced for
[9:41] consideration in JANUARY.
[9:43] >> And the our responsibility
[9:45] is to provide testimony is it's
[9:47] essentially sort of deliver our
[9:49] recommendation at the hearing.
[9:50] >> Yeah. Okay. If at least one
[9:56] of you can be here okay. Yeah.
[9:57] Amanda, do you have your hand
[9:59] up?
[10:00] >> Yeah. I'm. I'm sorry. Maybe
[10:02] I'm just not catching it. And
[10:03] you kind of scrolled fast, and
[10:05] I know I saw an early version,
[10:10] but is the. So the compensation
[10:12] is for four years, right.
[10:15] Starting in 26, 27, 2020.
[10:20] >> Starting in JANUARY 27th.
[10:21] >> 26 is a new new county
[10:22] executive, right.
[10:25] >> The 26 will take office in
[10:28] 27. Well, they'll take election
[10:29] DECEMBER 6th. Yeah, but they
[10:29] don't.
[10:33] >> So so the first and I, I was
[10:35] trying to look at the report.
[10:38] So the first raise will be in
[10:42] DECEMBER of 26. Right. And then.
[10:43] I just wanted to make sure it
[10:45] was covering four years not
[10:45] five years.
[10:46] >> Yes.
[10:48] >> Yes. Yeah. It's DECEMBER
[10:51] 2026 through DECEMBER 2030.
[10:52] >> Monday the whatever the
[10:53] first Monday in DECEMBER. But
[10:54] then they don't.
[10:55] >> We've just been talking it
[10:58] talking about it more like 2027.
[10:59] >> But the way it was worded on
[11:01] the charts, we looked at it,
[11:03] spoke to it as if it was a
[11:04] JANUARY 20th.
[11:04] >> Yeah.
[11:07] >> The next year. So as long as
[11:08] it mirrors what what we've done
[11:10] in the past.
[11:11] >> Yeah, but it's just for when
[11:13] they take off as to when they
[11:16] leave office. Yes. Yep.
[11:22] >> Okay. Thank you Amanda. Okay.
[11:25] So now we actually have to we
[11:26] approved the amendment to the
[11:28] language, but we didn't approve
[11:30] the whole agreement okay. So
[11:33] now yeah. Now I'll move that.
[11:37] We accept the report of the
[11:39] compensation review commission.
[11:40] And do we do we actually have
[11:41] to approve the legislation to
[11:43] or. No.
[11:44] >> Just the report.
[11:45] >> Just the report. So we're
[11:47] approved. I move that we
[11:49] approve the Compensation Review
[11:52] Commission report, as amended
[11:52] this evening.
[11:55] >> I'll second that motion.
[11:57] >> And in this case, I think I
[11:59] will call out the role. I just
[12:01] think that's that's a good idea.
[12:04] So Ellen Flynn Gile I Scott
[12:04] Houghton.
[12:07] >> I.
[12:14] >> Rashida George. Rashida.
[12:17] >> Sorry guys. Yes I.
[12:23] >> It's okay. Ginnie Gick.
[12:24] Ginnie.
[12:28] >> She's good. I can't see
[12:31] sorry. That's okay I.
[12:34] >> And keeping.
[12:35] >> I awesome awesome.
[12:38] >> So again we can report that
[12:41] this was unanimous.
[12:42] >> Is there.
[12:42] >> That's it.
[12:44] >> Is there anything else for
[12:44] us to do.
[12:47] >> That is it. You are done. I
[12:49] will just go through the next
[12:51] few months just so you're aware.
[12:53] Okay. The legislation is going
[12:55] to be introduced for
[12:57] consideration in JANUARY. There
[13:01] will be a public hearing on the
[13:03] legislation on Tuesday, JANUARY
[13:05] 20th. Be great if at least
[13:08] Chair Gile could be there. Okay.
[13:09] And everybody else is welcome
[13:11] to come if you want.
[13:11] >> Sure.
[13:15] >> The council MAY consider
[13:17] amendments. They might adopt it
[13:19] as is. It's hard to know for
[13:21] sure, but at some point in the
[13:22] early part of the year, they'll
[13:23] adopt legislation. This
[13:24] commission is technically
[13:26] convened until APRIL, but I
[13:28] don't think we'll have another
[13:29] meeting. We're just here if
[13:30] they have questions.
[13:31] >> Right.
[13:32] >> Okay. We're technically
[13:33] still a body, but this is your
[13:34] last meeting.
[13:35] >> Okay? Okay.
[13:36] >> Thank you. Owen.
[13:37] >> Okay. And I just want to
[13:39] thank everybody who's been here
[13:41] through the duration. Everyone
[13:43] who came tonight, everyone who
[13:45] wasn't able to come tonight.
[13:47] And thank you for participating
[13:50] in what I think is an important
[13:52] citizen, oversight of the kinds
[13:54] of things that happen in county
[13:54] government.
[13:56] >> It's good work. This is what
[13:59] it's all about. I value my time
[14:00] with with everybody every
[14:01] couple of weeks, and I
[14:03] appreciate everybody's
[14:04] contribution, and I'm sure
[14:06] we'll see more of each other
[14:08] down the road on some more of
[14:09] these.
[14:09] >> Thank you.
[14:11] >> Now same here.
[14:12] >> You're now on the list.
[14:13] >> And thanks for your
[14:14] leadership, Ellen.
[14:16] >> Thank you for putting up
[14:17] with us.
[14:19] >> And Amanda, thank you so
[14:21] much. Yeah.
[14:24] >> You're a saint. Yes,
[14:25] absolutely. Always a pleasure.
[14:27] >> Give him a raise.
[14:27] >> Oh.
[14:29] >> I think we might. I think we
[14:31] might have to recuse ourselves
[14:31] from that.
[14:32] >> Yeah, for sure.
[14:35] >> But thank you, everybody.
[14:36] >> Thank you everybody.
[14:37] >> Thank you all. Thank you
[14:38] everyone.
[14:39] >> Thank you. We have.
[14:40] >> Formally adjourned. Do we
[14:41] have to formally adjourn?
[14:42] >> Sure.
[14:43] >> Okay. I'm going to move that
[14:45] we adjourn with thanks to all
[14:46] the participants.
[14:46] >> Oh, second that motion.
[14:48] >> All in favor?
[14:51] >> I, I I I.
[14:53] >> Thank you. Have a wonderful
[14:54] holiday everybody.
[14:55] >> Happy holidays everyone.
[14:56] >> Happy holidays everybody.