Wake commissioner: Cut board pay 10 percent

Raleigh, N.C. — Wake County Commissioner Joe Bryan is requesting that commissioners take a 10 percent pay cut to help ease the economic problems in the county.

“Often times, you will hear elected officials say, ‘We understand. We feel what is going on.’ Here is a case where we can actually lead by example,” Bryan said.

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Official calls for Wake commissioners' pay cut

Not all commissioners are in favor of reducing their pay.

Commissioner Lindy Brown said the $19,095 salary she receives is her only source of income. Brown said she quit her job to dedicate more time to public service.

“I attended anywhere from four to six events a day back to back, and that did not include going to our regular county commission meeting or our agenda meeting,” Brown said.

Because of lagging revenue from sales taxes and real estate deed stamps, fiscal analysts recently projected a budget deficit in Wake County of at least $23 million for the 2008-09 year.

Commission Chairman Harold Webb said he will research what commissioners make in other counties before making a decision on the proposal.

Commissioners in Orange County make $13,996, and Durham's make $18,000 yearly.