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In a meeting earlier in December, the Westchester County Board of Legislators Committee on Budget and Appropriations approved a $69,240 salary increase for the position of County Executive.
This brings the position's salary from $160,760 to $230,000, according to county budget documents.
In a weekly update held on Monday, Dec. 16, County Executive George Latimer explained his reasoning behind the pay bump, saying that it would make sure the position is "properly compensated in sync with other competitive positions."
According to Latimer, the county executives of Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Nassau, and Suffolk counties all currently make more than in Westchester.
Latimer also maintained that the increase would not benefit him, as he will be leaving the office to serve in Congress and represent New York's 16th Congressional District before it goes into effect.
He received the same salary of $160,760 the full seven years he was in office, he said:
"I kept it low for the full seven years...I made that sacrifice to prove it's not about the money, it's what you accomplish," Latimer said.
The increase could benefit Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, who announced his candidacy to replace Latimer in mid-November.
Currently, the position of Deputy County Executive has a higher salary than the County Executive, at $215,470.
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