Jul 14, 2006 - It stinks worse than sewer itself. That's what some are saying about a vote to give raises to 9 management-level employees who work for Erie County's Sewerage Authority. A plant supervisor went from more than $93,000 to over $102,000 thousand. Two deputy commissioners are now making more than $91,000, and a district manager is now making over $82,000 dollars. The raises total more than $71,000. Legislator Cynthia Locklear voted against them. "I don't know how it could be defended as anything but the status quo business as usual. So many people talk about wanting to change things and do things differently and then you have something like this come along." said Locklear.

She says the legislators were told if they didn't give the raises those employees would leave. Locklear says let 'em go. "These are very good jobs there alot of good benefits that come with county jobs and I have the feeling that there are probably many qualified engineers out there community that would be willing to submit their resume if these people quit." said Locklear.

Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is challenging the pay hikes saying 4 of the 9 were already given significant raises last year. He even says the resolution granting them is illegal because the legislature gave up its authority to say no to raises.

"It's unjustified under the certain situation were in today. When were asking county employees not only to toe the line but also to potentially take concessions the 4 year plan asks for it's a very difficult time to give raises to managerial confidential employees and then give their boss even more opportunities to give em more raises in the future that's not right" said Poloncarz.

Poloncarz is now asking the County Attorney to investigate. The measure can be repealed at the next legislative session.

Copyright WKBW-TV, 2006