Council weighs repealing pension bill after outcry over payouts tied to pay raises

(WBFF) — Baltimore County council members face renewed scrutiny over their pay and retirement benefits as an advisory board recommends doubling their salaries and critics warn a separate pension measure could significantly boost payouts for former officeholders.

At a Baltimore County Council meeting, council members argued they are doing full-time work for part-time pay. One council member said, “Our pay has gone up $15,000 in 15 years.”

ALSO READ | Baltimore County residents look for answers, solutions after White Marsh Mall disturbance

An advisory board has recommended raising council salaries from the current $69,000 a year to $140,000.

Critics have also focused on a bill approved last year that increases council members’ pensions long after they leave office. Under that measure, retired council members would receive a pension increase each time there is a pay increase for current council members.

At a council work session Monday afternoon, critics took aim. “Council members already receive benefits significantly more generous than other county employees.” one county resident said. “A council member could see his adjustment jump from 41 to 80 thousand dollars. That’s not a cost of living adjustment that’s a golden parachute,” another resident warned.

After public outcry, council members are now considering whether to repeal the pension bill.

One council member pushed back on claims about the salary recommendation, saying, “There are many folks trying to create their own narrative that this is something we’ve approved. It hasn’t even been presented to the council for action.”

Nick Stewart, a candidate for county executive, accused council members of attempting to fatten their pensions while other county employees struggle. “There’s nothing you pay more attention to more than your own compensation. They knew exactly what these calculations would look like because they were warned,” Stewart said.

Stewart also pointed to broader economic pressures in the county, saying, “We have nearly 40,000 kids in extreme poverty, teacher contracts we can’t pay and pensioners who are eaten up by inflation and this is what we do? How dare we…!”