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In One Year, Batt Trims State Work Force By 272

Quane Kenyon Associated Press

Gov. Phil Batt swept into office just more than a year ago promising that the state’s first Republican administration in 24 years would be a lean operation, reflecting his “tightwad” attitude.

How is he doing?

A report on state employees and salaries issued Wednesday shows Batt has managed to trim a net of 272 full-time workers from the payroll, leaving the Jan. 1 state work force at 22,738.

But most of the reductions have come at the low end of the pay scale. There were more than 8,000 state employees making less than $15,000 per year in 1992; now, that number is down to about 6,000.

Meanwhile, there has been growth in the number of employees making $20,000 to $50,000 per year.

Until the University of Idaho names a new president, Boise State University President Charles Ruch will rank as the highest-paid state employee. He receives $132,828 per year, including an annual housing allowance of $19,302. His total compensation is up $7,425 from a year ago.

Among other top education officials, Idaho State University President Richard Bowen makes $113,484, up $10,545; Lewis-Clark State College President James Hottois is being paid $90,000, up $15,287 over the school’s acting president’s salary last year; and Thomas Bell, acting president at the University of Idaho, is being paid $120,016. That’s down $9,500 from the amount Elisabeth Zinser was paid until she resigned last July.

Rayburn Barton, executive director of the state Board of Education, earns $100,547, up $5,700 from last year.

Departmental directors under Batt generally were given raises of $3,000 to $4,000 per year. For example, Transportation Department Director Dwight Bower’s salary went to $96,700, up $4,160.

Batt is paid $85,000 as governor. The new report shows there are 64 state employees who are paid more, including 31 at the University of Idaho, 11 at Idaho State University, eight physicians at the Department of Health and Welfare, seven administrators at Boise State University and Hottois at Lewis-Clark State.