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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New County Administrator Will Earn Less Than Employees

Bruce Krasnow Staff writer

County Administrator Jim Lindow, appointed to the job last week, will make less money this year than two people he directly supervises.

Lindow, 49, formerly county director of social services and corrections, will receive a pay raise from $69,696 to $73,080 a year.

That’s considerably less than the $80,759 earned by Marshall Farnell, the county administrator for 16 years until last week’s shake-up in county government.

Farnell now is administrative services director, a new position overseeing the budget, purchasing, computer services, the print shop and building maintenance.

Instead of cutting Farnell’s salary, commissioners decided Tuesday to freeze it - at least until he is evaluated in his new position and a job description is drafted.

Lindow, who has a master’s degree in counseling, also makes less than Public Works Director Dennis Scott, an engineer who earns $75,872 and has been in the job nine years.

Last week, Scott inherited more responsibilities for road building and planning. Lindow, as county administrator, supervises Scott.

Although Lindow argued for a salary higher than Farnell, the three commissioners were not swayed that managers need to make more than those they supervise.

Commissioners make $55,746 a year.

Commission Chairman Skip Chilberg said both Farnell and Scott received raises or step-increases for seniority and essentially have topped out except for cost-of-living increases.