More than 300 county employees earn at least $75,000 annually
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Ramsey

Of the 10,315 full-time workers employed by the Chesterfield County government and public school system, 327 or 3.1 percent earn $75,000 and above annually. That's an increase from 2.5 percent two years ago.

In addition to their salaries, the Chesterfield County government also budgets another $4,600 for medical and dental benefits per employee, pays 16 percent for retirement and life insurance into the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and a matching 7.65 percent for FICA.

The Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) pays an additional 14.69 percent into VRS for retirement for all professional Chesterfield public school employees and 13.81 percent for retirement of non-professional school employees. The average full-time school employee also receives $4,686 annually for medical and dental benefits, 1.13 percent for a life insurance policy and a matching 7.65 percent payable for FICA.

Of the 7,042 full-time CCPS employees, the current budget allots for 3,892 teachers, but that does not include guidance and librarians. The entry level pay for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and no experience on a regular contract is $36,325. The highest paid teacher with a doctorate degree and 30 or more years of experience is $63,920.

County Administrator Lane Ramsey is paid $199,688 in salary plus $20,000 deferred compensation (usually paid near or during retirement when an employee's income is lower) and receives $13,600 annually in lieu of a car. Ramsey has a membership to the Bull and Bear Club, which costs $68 per month. According to Public Affairs Director Don Kappel, the membership has "only been used for county business, such as meeting with economic development prospects, legislators, etc." Previously, Ramsey had a membership at the Downtown Club, which has closed.

By comparison, Henrico County Manager Virgil Hazelett is paid $228,559 annually. He also receives a county vehicle ($5,238), health insurance ($8,559) and deferred compensation ($20,000).

According to Claritas research, Chesterfield has 6,000 more residents than Henrico. Chesterfield is also growing significantly faster.

Only one other Chesterfield employee has a club membership. Chesterfield paid the initiation fee of $4,000 and an application fee of $200 for Economic Development Director Will Davis to join Willow Oaks Country Club. The county pays the monthly dues, which during April-July of this year, were $390

Dr. Marcus Newsome begins as superintendent on Oct. 1 in Chesterfield at a salary of $192,000 with a car allowance of $12,500. In Henrico, Superintendent Fred Morton is paid $189,501 and has a car allowance of $14,400. Chesterfield has about 10,000 more students in its public school system.

Compensation is monitored closely by the Chesterfield government and CCPS and includes information about the pay scales of Henrico employees. Typically, Chesterfield pays less. According to Kappel, the county government has fewer employees per capita compared to Henrico.

For example, Chief of Police Carl Baker is paid $152,800 plus $10,000 in deferred compensation and use of a vehicle. His counterpart in Henrico makes $157,072 without other perks. Chesterfield also has fewer police officers even though it's twice the size of Henrico.

Chesterfield has three deputy county administrators who are paid from $149,000 to $158,923 plus deferred compensation of $10,000. They also receive an additional $9,400 in salary in lieu of a car allowance. Henrico has five deputy county managers who are paid $133,300 to $172,514, but without deferred salary or a car allowance.

Twelve higher-paid county employees have deferred income ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 annually. None in CCPS do.

A total of nine Chesterfield government employees receive $9,400 in salary in lieu of a car. Six additional staffers receive a car allowance of $7,500 to $9,600. Another 43 employees-mostly higher-ups of the county police and fire departments- have vehicles issued to them.

In addition to Newsome's car compensation, for the first time six higher-paid Chesterfield school employees are reporting $9,000 each for vehicle use.

The Chesterfield Observer has compiled an annual list of salaries over $75,000 for county and CCPS employees since 1999. The newspaper arbitrarily set the limit at $75,000.