I am concerned about the long-term fiscal health of Wicomico County. That is why, at our most recent council meeting, I had a lot of questions about a proposed new retirement benefit for sheriff's deputies. This retirement plan, proposed to be in addition to the current pension plan, is modeled after plans that many other jurisdictions adopted 20 or 30 years ago. However, many of these places are now dropping or modifying them because they proved to be more expensive than advertised at adoption. I'll continue to look into this issue to ensure we don't approve something that will hurt taxpayers in the generations to come.
30 comments:
Yes Marc, Many jurisdictions in Maryland and all across the country are having Major problems with their pension plans and some cities/counties have had to actually go bankrupt. Thank you for seriously researching and reviewing this new plan to see if it would be good for our county. I hope the rest of the council members and Mr. Culver are doing the same so we won't be deceived and led into a bad move.
What about having them contribute to their own retirement like the rest of us.
I guess that retirees witnessing their children retiring before they are able view these ancient pension plans odd. For Maryland who has so MANY police organizations, this is a big expense compared to Delaware where there is mostly a SINGLE police organizations. Maybe that's why their taxes are so much lower?
Thank you Marc. Hopefully your Republican colleagues will be looking into this with the same depth you are. Pension & Health benefits currently offered to retirees for county govt workers, sheriff's office employees, and school employees are not sustainable over the long term given the crumbling local economy.
I think we stop at pension in addition to the current system. WTH!
6:16 The problem is the police departments(along with all safety departments) are growing at a faster rate than the population. Also their pay is increasing at a faster rate than the general work force pay rate.
Consolidate ALL organizations into one? Why not?
County and state employees do contribute to their retirement, a mandatory deduction. I love this site but I can't understand why its followers can't grasp that concept. If you advocate eliminating public pensions, so be it, allow them to invest that significant portion of their salaries themselves.
Thanks Mark.
Now how about just fixing the roof and maybe a addition to the current sheriffs office instead of letting taxpayers burden 10 million for a new building.And budgeting 100k for a study to see if a new one needs to be built.Maybe Culver can gather his buddies to research this like they did the school on the west side.
The pensions that went broke are like the ones in Detriot in which were not employee contributed but fully funded by the taxpayer and mismanaged like everything in Chicago is
Marc I respect your thoughts. Can you name these entities and circumstances surrounding the failure of the said programs. As I understand it the deputies pay for their retirement. They also contribute to their disability program. I guess you want the deputies to buy the cars and bullets next. The contract proposed is a five year agreement far from anything written in stone. I understand you work from home and your wife is the major bread winner. I respect that. When you dawn a bullet proof vest and work every holiday and shift work give me a call then. The police are no better then anyone else. The work they do is different and that is why every police department in the region offers what the deputies are asking for. You can sugar coat your opinion all you like the bottom line is you must feel these men and women are not worthy of what other much smaller jurisdictions offer.
If in fact this option is a burden to the county then it can be done away with. The DROP program promotes a younger department. If you have not noticed the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office is getting long in the tooth. This program allows the deputy to contribute THEIR portion of retirement into the system for a set number of years then they have to retire. Again I ask that you produce these local agencies that have done away with this program. I hope you are not comparing Wicomico to Detroit and other mishandled cities.
Many officers do not even take part in it. It is voluntary and not mandatory. People who actually earn their living projecting the financial strengths of these types of systems gave it the nod. No offense I trust their judgment on this issue.
The Delaware State Police give their Troopers 80% at twenty years of service for a reason. Studies done by Duke and many other respected institutions state the average life expectancy of a police officer is around 56 years of age. Shift work is said to take ten years off of your life. Adding the current circumstances in society the stressors have grown in directions never seen in America. These men and women are your front line.
I respect your position on this matter however I totally disagree with your financial opinion on the matter and that is what exactly what it is your opinion.
Thank you Bob Culver for having the fortitude to stand by your Sheriff's Office. It will not be forgotten trust me.
What is Marc do for a job?
9:17. Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing. Mr. Kilmer needs to go back to work and maybe he will understand the real world better.
9:27. House husband. Can't make many meetings because of his responsibilities of his children while his wife works away.
Somerset county sheriffs do not have it. Unless you get hurt on the job your working until your dead.
10:19 that is sad. I respect Mr. Kilmer can work from home. I wish I could he is a good guy. I just think he needs to research issue it is not what it appears. 5 year deal I think F.O.P. compromised and Mr. Culver and staff did a great job saving the county money. The facts will play out. No one in the state does five year deals. Most are two. This save six figures in attorneys fees. Give the deputies what they deserve. Taking pot shots at Kilmer resolves nothing. People with no interest in the contract who asses financial matters said it is a very sound deal for all parties involved. trust me F.O.P. did not ask for this deal it was presented to them and they agreed to take it. All parties worked well together. The council took ten years to recognize a law voted on by the people. Enough said. This would all be a moot issue if some did not sand bag it ten years ago and not respect the vote of the public.
Please don't tear people down for trying to save our county tax dollars and being vigilant. Give positive suggestions, not snide remarks...
With the amount of money deputies make, maybe they could contribute at a higher rate to help with their pensions? Not meant to be negative, just a suggestion.
6:40 they already do. This has to do with the D.R.O.P. program. It is the deputies portion of the pension being paid in. Kilmer's is grandstanding and it is actually odd he took to the blogs. I mean it was an open meeting and on PAC 14. The man has an agenda. He has lost my and my families vote. He is an stay at home dad not a financial actuary. Oh yea and he is a politician. Hang em all
Anonymous said...
What is Marc do for a job?
January 21, 2016 at 9:27 PM
He is unemployable. He mooches off his wife who it an assistant States Attorney in Dorchester County.
I guess Mr. Marc won't be getting the support of the Sheriff's deputies come election time. He is always opposing everything they do.
Mr. Marc if you are jealous of them you are more than welcome to apply for a job as a Deputy.
freeze all pensions right now. Institute the 401K with matching funds by the employer up to 2% of gross wage. No more defined benefit plans. That's why the current pensions are under funded and will ultimately fail.
Why concern over taxpayers now?
Anonymous said...
freeze all pensions right now. Institute the 401K with matching funds by the employer up to 2% of gross wage. No more defined benefit plans. That's why the current pensions are under funded and will ultimately fail.
January 22, 2016 at 10:25 AM
Why don't you sign your name so the Deputies know who you are!
Mr. Kilmore used to work for ex U.S. Senator Larry Craig. Well you know what happened there. If not google it and include the word bathroom.
11:43 that sheds much light on his dislike of Law Enforcement. Knew there was more to the story. He needs to go.
7:37 that is all bond monies. Educate yourself fool. Isn't DROP the deputies pension money anyway ???? Why is this turd posting this. He must want Bob Culvers job lol. Maybe he realized he stepped on his short Johnson and is looking for support on this matter.
Wonder if he left his house the last four days and did a ride along with the cops in the area. I can assure he was home breast feeding one of the kids
Rhino. You and your boy Cannon both Rhinos. Make me sick.
Municipal Pensions have ruined many jurisdictions. Case-in-point San Bernadine, CA. Once they get their foot in the door - first thing you know it has gotten out of control - all placed on the burden of the taxpayers.
In many cases - municipalities have to file bankruptcy as there is no room in the budget for any capital improvements including roads, repairs, landfills, etc.
Wicomico is predestined for the same outcome in the end. . .wait and see.
County employees do contribute to their retirement. You are clueless.
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