ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y.-- On Thursday, the Orange County Legislature voted to approve a $21,000 salary raise for the office of the sheriff. But the 13-8 vote did not come without debate.
"Don't start a bad precedent here," said Republican legislator Mike Anagnostakis.
Some legislators argued that agreeing to change the sheriff's salary mid-term after a contract was already negotiated and approved last year would open up the flood gates, prompting similar requests from other department heads.
"It's a very important position. And we really need to be fair with compensation," agreed Democratic legislator Roseanne Sullivan. "But the process has already been started, and ended, and it's been finalized."
Legislators supporting the change commended Sheriff Carl DuBois on his stellar work record, attibuting millions in revenue to the 13-year veteran.
The sheriff's annual salary will increase to $141,000. DuBois says the office of the sheriff deserves a pay raise based on the responsibility it holds.
"It's a glaring difference," he said. "You have one commissioner, who makes more than I do, [who] has five people and maybe a couple hundred thousand-dollar budget. I have 430 people. I have a $65 million budget."
Legislators say they, along with other county officials, agreed to salary freezes three years ago when the county was struggling with an unbalanced budget.
DuBois says he was not party to any deal, and that his job should not be compared with that of a legislator.
"I'm not the new kid on the block," he said. "I've done quite a bit. I stand by my record; my record speaks for itself. I didn't appreciate being lumped into the same job as a legislator. My responsibilities dwarf what the responsibilities are of a single legislator."
Opposing legislators hinted that rumors about this being the sheriff's last term in office did influence how they voted.
"The rumors about me going anywhere, I'll put them to rest: I'm not going anywhere," DuBois said.