Comments on: Morgan Questions Commission’s Planned ‘Shade’ Meeting Over Budget Appeal

By: resident

resident — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 18:08:05 +0000

well at least we know who underhand sides with now.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:08:43 +0000

This is the 2017 Sunshine law Manual. It can be downloaded so people will be truly informed of the law process.

http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MNOS-AKBS9L/$file/2017+Sunshine+Law+Manual.pdf

By: Straight Shooter

Straight Shooter — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 12:49:00 +0000

Let me say First, LEO’s have a tough job and should be commended for wanting to choose that profession.
You people need to stop drinking Morgan’s Kool-Aid. Do your homework before you spout off about how much Leo’s make. Starting pay is competitive with local counties. Starting pay is JUST That. They don’t stay at that rate long. Every Leo hired knows what his pay will be and he chooses that job. The majority of Leo’s love what they do.
There are a lot of benefits to gov workers get to compensate for lower wages than private sector jobs. Most will retire with huge sums of money in retirement that most of us will never have. I say well deserved but there again that is another thing that made up for lower pay.
No disrespect to Leo’s meant. Morgan is pouring Kool-Aid out and the public is drinking it up.

By: northofI10

northofI10 — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 11:25:46 +0000

Patti, your observation is right on point. Money may a contributing factor in the decision for leaving but there are far more issues from within the department that make the decision easier. It starts at the top, those that surround the sheriff and they way they do business. There are a lot of comments about ‘good ole boy network’ and it has and will always be a problem with only the names changing under different administrations. There have been no comments against the deputies deserving more pay so the community at large supports this and yet the administration has become more top heavy and those working there and the community certainly have the right to question the budget issues without being painted as not supporting higher salaries for the deputies that are actually out there protecting and serving.

By: Former Resident

Former Resident — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 03:30:19 +0000

To Steve

Thank you for your observations. I was born in and lived in Pensacola for 35 years and long to retire there someday. Hopefully the town can get a few things straight. My family member is not afraid of hard work and did not leave the department for that reason. I can see how you would assume that without knowing the facts. Not sure what you mean about longing for the good old boy system. None of the recent office holders of that department have been impressive and I’ve personally known more than one. The good old boy system has been the problem in the county for years. Soccer fields…money hidden in a collard green pot in someone’s freezer…mysterious plane crashes…you know the rest of the bizarre stories. It’s unfortunate a self-aggrandizing individual has sullied a respectable profession and is willing to take more from tax payers rather than look for ways to be more efficient and take care of the needs of his department. In my current profession, I’m responsible for a $35 million annual operating budget and owe it to consumers who pay for our services to be a responsible steward. Any public servant should do the same. Hopefully the citizens of what is a fantastic community make a change when given the chance.

By: Morgan supporter:

Morgan supporter: — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 19:22:31 +0000

I support Sheriff Morgan.

I feel our Deputies are grossly underpaid and I would not go out and put my life on the like for pennies!

Maybe the solution would be to take the extra money needed to upgrade our Sheriffs Department from the salaries of the County Commissioners!

At least that would give the taxpayers some return on their investment for the taxes that we pay and be beneficial to the whole county!

The bottom line is that the county needs the Sheriff’s Department, and the Sheriff’s Department does much more good for the county than the Commissioners do!!!!

The Commissioners have additional incomes on top of their salaries – our Deputies do not have this advantage.

By: Steve l. Harris

Steve l. Harris — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:48:09 +0000

To former resident:

I disagree with you and everything you’ve said. I’ve been here for almost 20 years and the only thing dysfunctional is anyone who misses the “good old boy system”. Your “kin” may have run from here because they had to work and for a living and not able to buy their way through a promotion like the former Sheriff.

By: Fishing fool

Fishing fool — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 11:36:30 +0000

Businesses that give employees raises do so by charging more for goods and services. The government has to raises taxes for revenue. Now imagine the uproar from the same who will spend money on lotto,cigarettes, fair,etc. But a 1 cent gas tax or $10 property tax would destroy their budget. Everyone feels underpaid.I want a new boat but the wife says we cant afford it. Maybe I need to call her mama and tell on her. If it works for Morgan.

By: Tabby

Tabby — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 10:10:02 +0000

@Esc Leo–I support you. I do not support Thelbert. Get rid of 1 of the Chiefs, Facebook runners, or A.S. who makes about 3 times a starting deputies salary just to make Thelbert look good. And tell her to easy up on the make up while your at it. However, I agree with you. Your about $15-18k from where you should be.

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 04:24:35 +0000

REGARDING:
“we need a pay scale to reward people who work here for years and gain valuable experience and take on additional responsibility. Just like any other civilian company.”

Probably, but it is NOT a civilian company.
It is a government entity.
The basis for existence is different.
It does not produce more law enforcement over time.
It does not risk bankruptcy.

Pay for a given job is spelled out:

Continuous Service Time Longevity extra pay, Merit pay increases …which shall not exceed ten percent (10%) within one fiscal year or the maximum of the pay grade.

Annual leave:
Less than 5 years 8 hours per month (12 days/year)
5 years but less than 10 years 10 hours per month (120 hrs = 15 days/year)
10 years but less than 15 years 12 hours per month
15 years but less than 20 years 14 hours per month
20 years but less than 25 years 16 hours per month (24 days/year)
25 years or more 18 hours per month

The Escambia County Employee & Family Health Care Center provides health care solutions for all County employees, retirees and their families. The Employee Health Care Center provides a range of health and wellness services such as treatment for illness, health screenings, wellness education programs and much more.

Active employees may utilize the Health Care Center for free, dependants free or cheap.

It may add up, especially with a growing family.

“Civilian” jobs do not have these guarantees. Government work is different (which is why it attracts some, repels others).

David for happy workers