Editorials
Town of Lancaster salary and benefits structure, Part I: Salaries
By Lee Chowaniec
Mar 25, 2008, 09:11

How much does a resident of the Town of Lancaster really know about his town, his government and how they spend their money?
A municipal employee in another town once declared that, “If you want me to work for the town, you should pay me a large enough salary so that I can afford to live here.” It appears the Town of Lancaster has met that demand.

This series will give but a snapshot of town spending, focusing on how responsibly your tax money is spent on town employee salaries and benefits.

Some municipalities publish their budgets on the Internet. Lancaster does not.

The 2004 budget (post Town and Village police merger) was $21.5 million. The 2008 budget is $26.5 million, an increase of 23 percent over four years; an average annual spending increase of 5.8%.

Demographics

According to latest 2006 U.S. Census Bureau statistics:

The Town of Lancaster’s population was 39,019; includes Villages of Lancaster (11,188) and Depew (approx. 8,000).

The median household income (in 1999 dollars): (U.S. average, $41,994)
Town of Lancaster - $48,990
Village of Lancaster - $40,149
Entire Village of Depew - $42,232

The median family income (in 1999 dollars): (U.S average, $50,046)
Town of Lancaster - $59,719
Village of Lancaster - $53,514
Entire Village of Depew - $50,021

The per capita income (in 1999 dollars): (U.S. average, $21,587)
Town of Lancaster - $21,723
Village of Lancaster - $20,308
Entire Village of Depew - $19,914

Families below poverty level: (U.S. average, 9.2%)
Town of Lancaster - 269 (2.5%)
Village of Lancaster – 91 (3.1%)
Entire Village of Depew – 167 (3.6%)

Individuals below poverty level: (U.S. average, 12.4%)
Town of Lancaster - 1,491 (3.9%)
Village of Lancaster – 565 (5.1%)
Entire Village of Depew – 903 (5.4%)

Median home value: (U.S. average, $119,000)
Town of Lancaster - $105,900
Village of Lancaster - $86,300
Entire Village of Depew - $84,600

Although village property owners pay town taxes, often for redundant services not provided, the following salary and benefit contracts pertain to Town of Lancaster employees.

Salaries

It would be meaningless and too exhaustive to list all town employee salaries. The following are listed to give some idea what the pay structure is of those full time employees who are earning more than livable wages and would be of interest to the taxpayer.

Whereas workers in the private sector have experienced salary reductions and absence of salary increases for years, 3 percent wage increases have been just about automatic in the town over the past several years.

With that said it should be noted that there are a number of clerk-typist that make $37,904 per year. This is the lowest pay scale for full time employment in the town.

With the exception of a few clerks making $37,904, most earn between $45,000 and $49,000, depending on office and skills.

Supervisor - $68,959
Budget Officer (Supervisor) - $7,524

Town Clerk - $65,906
Records Management Officer (Town Clerk) - $6,053
Registrar of Vital Statistics (Town Clerk) - $900

Town Attorney - $40,000 (Position redefined - Numerous legal matters will be outsourced).

Youth Bureau (Executive Director) - $62,979

Assessor - $63,265

Building Inspector - $60,528
Contract with Village of Lancaster - $7,000

Director of Administration and Finance $74,657

Dog Patrol Officer $43,859

General Crew Chief (Parks, Forestry and Buildings - $61,971

Police:
Police Chief - $95,515
Police Captains (2) - $79,885
Lieutenants (7) - $69,897
Detectives (5) - $63,313
School Resource Officers (2) -$63,313
D.A.R.E Officer - $61,813
Police Officers (25) - $59,813
Police Officers on step (7) - $50,841 to $56,822

Highway Department:
Highway Superintendent - $64,649
Highway Superintendent (Drainage Officer) - $5,150
Crew Chiefs (4) - $62,358
Heavy Equipment Operator (3) - $50,898
Light Equipment Operators (7) - $49,899
Laborer (7) - $48,506
Automotive Mechanic - $52,104
Automotive Mechanic Helper - $51,397
Maintenance Worker (2) - $49,899
Laborer Highway - $52,104

Town Justices (2) - $38,800
Clerks to Town Justices (2) - $37,904

Council Members (4) - $17,929

Salaries range from $18.22 per hour to $45.92 per hour.

The above salaries do not include longevity pay.

Next: Part II: Town employee benefits












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