A changing of the guard in GT County

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William Rokos Record-Eagle
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February 9, 2012

By Bill O'Brien bobrien@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Thu Feb 09, 2012, 07:25 AM EST

TRAVERSE CITY — The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard.

The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.

"That's a lot," said Clerk Linda Coburn, who will retire this year after 32 years. "It's time for some new blood."

Treasurer Bill Rokos won't run again after completing 28 years in office. Two-term county Prosecutor Alan Schneider also will retire.

Schneider served the county for 24 years, after seven years in the Muskegon County prosecutor's office.

"I'll be almost 64 years old at the end of this term. It's time," Schneider said.

The county board also is searching for a new administrator after Dennis Aloia announced he will leave for a similar post in Oregon. His departure, combined with offices up for election, means new faces in important places for county government in the coming months.

"It's going to be a very challenging year next year," said Larry Inman, county board chairman. "We've been very fortunate to have excellent elected officials with a lot of tenure. It'll be a lot of lost experience within the county."

There also will be changes on the county board. Last year's reapportionment process eliminated two seats, meaning seven commissioner districts will be up for election this year. Inman expects most commissioners will seek re-election.

Two other elected county officials — Sheriff Tom Bensley and Register of Deeds Peggy Haines — said they will run again this year.

The county board plans to determine salary and benefits for positions before candidates' May 15 filing deadline to get on the August primary ballot. The board previously set those salaries in the fall. But Inman said the board wanted to make decisions earlier so potential candidates would know what accompanies the position.

Inman expects candidates to starting coming forward soon, possibly as early as next week.

Current pay rates are $61,165 a year for the register of deeds and drain commissioner; $65,453 for county clerk; and $78,569 for treasurer. The prosecutor earns $112,872 and is the highest-paid elected county official, except for judges. Salaries increased 1.75 percent this year. Elected officials also receive a $450 monthly car allowance.

County board salaries are $7,000 a year; $7,500 for the board's vice-chairman; and $8,000 for board chair. Those salaries haven't changed since 2001. Commissioners also receive per diem payments for meetings plus health insurance and other benefits.

Rokos said it's a "good thing" the board will set pay rates before candidates have to throw their hat in the ring. He is among the county's longest-serving treasurers and spent six previous years as a state auditor.

"There will be a lot of changes in the county," Rokos said. "But that's what happens — time moves on."