Roanoke County Administrator Tom Gates receives two-year extension – Roanoke Times

Roanoke County Administrator Tom Gates got a vote of approval Tuesday when the supervisors green-lighted a two-year extension of his contract.

I, for one, am very happy to vote to continue to work with our current county administrator, said Chairman Joe McNamara, later praising the work Gates has done to execute a proactive strategic plan and build the countys quality of life.

Every football team needs a quarterback, McNamara said. There are only so many franchise quarterbacks, and I think we have one.

Under his contract extension, hell continue to receive the same annual pay bumps offered to all county staff a rise of 1.5 percent this year.

But Roanoke County will also substantially beef up its contribution to Gates deferred compensation plan. The countys annual pay-in for that fund will rise from $16,986 to $24,154 a total added investment of $7,168 per year.

The updated contract was ratified by the board of supervisors Tuesday on a 4-1 vote with Hollins District Supervisor Al Bedrosian dissenting. Bedrosian cited concerns about the rate of the compensation package increase and the cost to taxpayers.

Gates direct salary for the coming year will be $187,837. Overall, his direct salary has risen by 6 percent up from a first-year wage of $177,007 since he joined the county three years ago.

That is consistent with the total, cumulative pay raises offered to all county staffers during those years.

The board agreed to take part in the refinancing of a 2011 bond issuance to capture slightly lower interest rates.

The county forecasts it could save a total of about $227,000 over the remaining 14 years of the bonds life.

The bond was issued through a state authority to help pay for the Cave Spring Middle School expansion project.

The state will manage the refinancing but local consent was required.

Continue reading here:

Roanoke County Administrator Tom Gates receives two-year extension - Roanoke Times