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Coller agrees to pay cut ADVERTISEMENT By MICHAEL D. BATES | Hernando Today Published: October 22, 2011 Updated: 10/22/2011 01:06 pm BROOKSVILLE - Recognizing the strapped economic times Hernando County finds itself in, County Attorney Garth Coller has signed off on a new three-year contract that would pay him $122,866 a year, or 7.5 percent less than his current pay. County commissioners now have to agree to the contract terms, and they are scheduled to discuss it at Tuesday's meeting. But given recent comments by at least two county commissioners, the new contract may not be enough, even with the pay cut. Commissioners Jim Adkins and Commissioner Wayne Dukes have advocated cutting ties with Coller, moving forward with the existing staff and outsourcing legal expertise if needed. But that was before the sudden death of Assistant County Attorney Jeff Kirk earlier this month, leaving the legal office with only one other full-time assistant lawyer, Jon Jouben. After three years, the contract would be extended in one-year increments if county or Coller do not terminate or renegotiate before then. If Coller's position is eliminated, Jouben would receive "step-up" pay – a 5 percent salary increase or the minimum of the pay grade for the job classification, whichever is greater. Jouben's base annual salary is $65,986. Commissioners last year had requested an administrative management study be done to ascertain the effectiveness of the legal office and see if there were areas in its budget that could be cut. The report, conducted by the Florida Bar's Law Office Management Assistance Service, was concluded in May and determined that the attorney's office will be an asset to the county as it grows in population and case loads. Based on what the county is now paying for outside legal advice, it would be less expensive to hire an additional attorney, the report said. County Commissioner Dave Russell said Friday that now "would be a really bad time" to change the status quo of the legal office and will support Coller's continued association with the county. Russell also praised Coller for stepping up and agreeing to a salary reduction. The county commission meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville. Also on the agenda: • County Administrator David Hamilton has carved out time to discuss the controversy surrounding his recommendation to move Director of Transportation Services Susan Goebel into the vacant director of environmental services post. Commissioners approved the move, along with an $8,000 salary hike for Goebel, at their last board meeting. But Hernando Today found that the county had to downgrade its qualifications to allow Goebel to take the job, and the Hamilton-backed raise has since been questioned by Director of Administrative Services Cheryl Marsden. • The county will ask permission for a group of staffers to explore the increase of social media to expand communication with the public. Many government agencies at the local, state and federal levels are already considering the use of social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Commissioners will consider accepting a bid from McAlpine Environmental Consulting Inc. to capture and relocate gopher tortoises on the site of the new landfill construction. McAlpine's bid was the lowest. To view the entire agenda, visit http://hernandocountyfl.iqm2.com/citizens/ mbates@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5290 Share this: MORE FROM THIS CHANNEL • Aglow features professional singer Mary Courtney • Sons of Italy new members • Local Knights council receives top award • Portfolio versus lotteryTOPICS IN THIS ARTICLEReader Comments Voice your opinion by posting a comment. << < 1 2 Posted by (mom61) on 10/23/2011 at 11:45 am. BIG DEAL!!!!! 7.5 percent cut, but a contract for 3 years. Everyone who is sure they'll have a job for 3 more years at $122,000 a year raise your hands.....that's what I thought. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (Anarchist) on 10/23/2011 at 11:47 am. I believe, Kent, that there is a plan to bring you back into the County Attorney's office to work. And I don't believe it would be that hard for you to reactivate your law license. It is NOT in the best interest of the public to hide the unlawful practices of government workers. When the government screws up, the public has a right to know, litigation or no, crooked states attorney or no. The County Attorney by trying to conceal his own attempt to solicit purgered testimony was acting out of a conflict of interest and will be reported to the bar, making Jouben useless. So you may want to get that law license again, Kent. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (Anarchist) on 10/23/2011 at 12:19 pm. maxwell_smart, ask the local appeals court if I'm so dumb. The county really needs to get rid of this County Attorney's office. It is going to be an ongoing embarrassment and the cause of many lost lawsuits. You think Jouben would represent the citizens that he convinced to perjure themselves in a law suit? It may be the only job he can get soon. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (maxwell_smart) on 10/23/2011 at 12:38 pm. Dennis...I'm smart enough to spell 'perjured' correctly. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (Anarchist) on 10/23/2011 at 12:58 pm. Well, maxwell, it's only been since moving to Hernando County that I've had to spell perjured correctly. Most people are honest other places. I've never seen such poor ethics or values before. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (sunsekrjg) on 10/23/2011 at 06:42 pm. Oh gee, the county attorney works under a contract, like the outside firm, can we all chant "H****" together, wouldn't... give me a break... if Coller gets a new contract, then so be it... he's not a bad attorney... just wish he would grow a set and tell the truth to people what he really knows... oh I know, attorney client privilege... And Hemi-LC, face it, you are a loser, you couldn't qualify to clean the bathrooms in the legal office, much make actual decisions... Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (Anarchist) on 10/23/2011 at 07:10 pm. sunsekrjg, I don't believe they could go to H****. There would be a serious conflict of interest with his current representation of the Constitutionals and City. I see problems right off the bat. Let Kent get his license and take it over. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (CPF) on 10/23/2011 at 07:21 pm. ent did a great job when he worked for the Attorney's office. Very knowledgable and very supportive of County Staff. He would be a great asset if he came back. He could take on Jeff's projects and complete. Jeff will be missed by all. Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (sunsekrjg) on 10/23/2011 at 09:14 pm. Conflict of interest - in this county - surely you jest.... Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) Posted by (Anarchist) on 10/23/2011 at 09:59 pm. Yuck yuck, sunsekrjg. Unfortunately conflict of interest isn't much of a concern in a world where corporations wag the dogs that are supposed to be regulating them. I remember a time when it was a conflict of interest for a person administering the law to be involved in politics, or lobbying. Law enforcement wasn't out there asking for more laws, "tools for fighting crime," in other words, statutes that can be used arbitrarily to silence the opposition. Oh for the good old days before the police state! Report Inappropriate Comments | ( Mark inactive ) |
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