MASON CITY – The members of the Cerro Gordo county Compensation Board have re-elected businessman Steve Minert as its chairman for 2021, and approved a salary increase for county elected officials of 2.75 percent. When asked by NorthIowaToday.com about the pay raise, Mr. Minert said that he would have preferred no increase in compensation, citing the fact that Cerro Gordo county officials are already better paid than most other Iowa counties of comparable population.
However, Comp Board member Timothy LaPointe, a Mason City attorney, managed to convince a majority of the Board members that a 2.75% pay raise was appropriate. Minert said that, in his view, “no elected officials should get a pay raise until everyone in the county who wants a job has one.”
Since 1991, Minert has run Harley-Davidson dealerships in Mason City and Charles City, and employed 250+ north Iowans. Mr. Minert told NorthIowaToday.com that, “as Board members, we’re here to serve the taxpayers of Cerro Gordo county, while setting fair rates of compensation and benefits Cerro Gordo county’s elected officials. However, in the recent past, some members have shown little regard for the taxpayers who fund the salaries of these elected officials.” Minert’s comment was seen by some as referencing LaPointe, who has consistently pushed for higher and higher salaries and benefit packages for the politicians. Mr. LaPointe was, in fact, the only Board member to oppose Minert as chairman.
Minert said, “This shouldn’t be about personalities; it’s about sound fiscal policy that serves the public interest – NOT any kind of Buddy System. We must jettison the ludicrous concept that appointees should ‘have the back’ of the politician who appointed them. As public servants, our chief responsibility is to the taxpayers.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, another Board member was even more direct. This member told NIT, “Tim just loves to spend other people’s money. A couple years ago, he pushed for a five percent raise, and the vote passed. Tim also backed a candidate for chairman who was actually removed from the position just days later. I’m thinking Tim’s jealous of Steve, who always goes out of his way to be inclusive toward [LaPointe].”
The Compensation Board is comprised of seven members, all of whom are appointed by the county elected officials whose salaries they set.
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Bet the Chinese already control Harley Davidson ! Just another rice burner in the future. And oh YES – the ching like HOGS – IOWA HOGS which they already own 25% of the meat industry in America and what 10% of the farmland – Terry knows.
Vice presidents Day ! Today ! Hey matt the ratt do you know what this means you little worm.
The Comp Board just recommends the Salary increases.
The Board of Supervisors have to approve it.
Business must be really bad at Harley. Minert keeps going after paid political positions. Tim Lapointe is no better. He’s on at least two paid boards, and isn’t properly supervising the paid staff on either of them.
Comp Board members are not paid for their
Volunteer Service.
And, Minert just needs it on his resume for when he actually runs for office..
OH YES -YES -YES – can you say typical political garbage – say what the lemming wants to hear then laugh at them for being so dumb !
More rich people taking tax dollars…. what a bunch of crooks
People taking more tax dollar’s is what Minert tried to stop, but LaPointe and them tax gobbelers the Demo-rats, they stopped him, they like spending our money, damn them anyway.
He and his daddy are north Iowa’s biggest drug dealers! Daddy loves the Coke!
Liar.
I would like to see you try to walk into Mr. Minert’s office and tell him that, see what will happen.
It won’t be good for you or your kind.
You must be one of his buyers and user! DUMB ASS!
are you as proof?
UAW workers, Amer. Airline catering workers, KIA workers, U of Ill. workers, nursing home workers, Zantel workers, Dominion grocers workers have all gone on strike for higher pay, and no one complained. The county compensation board gets a 2.75% increase, and Mr. Minert wants everyone to know that he would have preferred no increase. I can’t get over the feeling that behind this is a “See, I love Mason City and I look out for the taxpayers. Now come and buy your new Harley from me”. If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. And someone this openly altruistic sounds too good to be true.
So, you’re saying, he’s damned if he does, and damned if he doesn’t.
You should stand up for your conviction’s and obviously Minert and this other member caved. I believe this says alot about them.
I wonder if Mineart has increased his salary in the past couple of years and if he has increased his employee’s salary and benefits over the same period.
What cowards if Minert and this other member truly believed no increase was warranted then they should of had the courage to vote no.