By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
Some employees of the Rowan-Kannapolis ABC system have received $10,000-plus pay increases since 2005.
Salary information released by the ABC system shows most of the 20 employees are paid in the $40,000-plus range. Some of the larger increases involved promotions.
ABC officials initially said the salaries were not public records.
Marny Hendrick, chairman of the the ABC Board, said there was some indication that ABC employees don’t fall under the public records laws. He also cited privacy issues and concerns by the employees association.
ABC officials also cited concerns about the salary information being disclosed when General Manager Terry Osborne released it both to the Salisbury Post and to County Attorney, Jay Dees.
Mike Herring, administrator for the State ABC Commission, said this week all salary information of the ABC systems is public, pointing out that his salary is on a Web site.
Hendrick said Friday the salaries of ABC employees are similar to those paid by other ABC systems of a similar size.
He noted the ABC Board adopted a revised salary schedule that gives Osborne flexibility in setting the salary for new hires.
Osborne sets the salary for all employees. The ABC Board determines his pay rate.
In February, Hendrick provided an employee list and salary list to the county.
At that time, 12 of the 21 employees made less than $40,000 per year. Eight other employees, primarily managers, topped out between $40,000 and $43,000.
Osborne’s salary was $63,190 in 2005. His salary now is $75,000.
Other employees getting substantial increases include:
– Julie Eller, controller or administrative assistant for 18 years, $46,072 to $57,158.
– Dean Brown, 22 years, senior clerk, now warehouse employee, $36,171 to $46,280;
– Todd Lingle, eight years, clerk to manager, $35,048 to $45,594;
– Chris Sifford, nine years, clerk in warehouse to manager, $36,088 to $46,280;
– Kathy Goodlett, 29 years, senior clerk, $36,171 to $45,843.
Other ABC employees and salary comparisons:
– Tommy Goodman, 16 years, warehouse manager, $42,972 to $47,902;
– Ronald Vellines, 29 years, manager, $41,308, to $46,280;
– Terry Crook, 30 years, manager $41,308, to $46,280;
– Mike Withers, 24 years, manager, $41,308 to $44,928;
– Barry McKinney, 18 years, manager, $36,171 to $45,594;
– Anne Davis, 20 years, assistant manager, $36,171 to $44,720;
– Will Fespermen, senior clerk, 39 years, $41,308 to $43,950;
– Nancy Blackwell, 17 years, clerk, $36,171 to $40,144;
– Tommy Costantino, two years, clerk, $35,651;
– Dwight White, seven years, $37,211 to $43,701.
Employees hired since 2005 and their current salaries:
– David McKinney, three years, manager, $45,594;
– Jessica Godfrey, secretary main office, two years, $38,376;
– Tammy Goodman, three years, senior clerk, $39,728;
– Tommy Costantino, two years, clerk, $35,651;
– Robin Jackson, three years, clerk, $35,651.
The Post requested a list of part-time employees and hourly wages. Referring to the requests for information from Commissioner Tina Hall, Osborne said that because of that “garbage,” it would be some time before the salary would be available.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.