Visit Dan Telvock's blog: Spotsy govt.-the odds & ends

Barnes Visit the Photo Place

Barnes a bargain for Spotsylvania

With 32 years of county government experience, Doug Barnes just recently reached the list of the top 10 highest-paid government and school officials in the region

Date published: 11/16/2009

By DAN TELVOCK

Doug Barnes has held numerous positions with the Spotsylvania County government over the past 32 years.

He directed the Waste Management, General Services and Public Works departments.

He even served as interim county administrator twice before the Board of Supervisors last month appointed him to the top job for at least three years.

And thanks to an increase in his vehicle allowance when he took the county administrator job, Barnes is now among the top 10 highest-paid local government employees in the region, a Free Lance-Star salary survey shows.

Barnes is worth it, said Lynchburg City Manager Kim Payne, who was Spotsylvania's county administrator and worked with Barnes for 17 years.

Payne said he doesn't think the county could pay Barnes enough, based on his experience and commitment.

"Doug is a humble person," said Payne. "He is a person of great humility, and I think he clearly understands the financial challenges the county faces."

When Barnes was officially appointed county administrator, he didn't ask for a raise. He also did not ask for one when he served as interim county administrator in November 2008 and in 2004.

Did he fail at negotiating?

No, Barnes said.

He kept his salary the same to set an example for county employees.

"We are not in normal times," said Barnes, referring to the erratic economy and challenging budget problems. "I have to lead by example. Do I think the job is worth more? Yes. But I couldn't in good conscience take more money if I am not giving anything additional to my employees."

Barnes' base salary is $148,678. His contract states that he gets a 5 percent raise on Nov. 1, 2010, plus any merit raise supervisors reinstate for all employees before that date. He also gets a $500-per-month allowance for vehicle use.

"I just think it is a reasonable amount," Barnes said. "There are people losing their jobs here."

Barnes served as the interim county administrator since November 2008, when Randy Wheeler resigned. Wheeler's base salary was $173,265, plus a $6,000 car allowance.

"THIS IS MY HOME"

After Barnes graduated from Lynchburg College in 1971 with a degree in economics, he worked for his family's furniture chain, C.L. Barnes and Son.

Spotsylvania supervisors said they got a good deal when they made Doug Barnes the county administrator. He will be paid about $25,000 less than his predecessor, and he has 32 years of experience in county government. For a snapshot of Barnes' contract compared with the contract of his predecessor, Randy Wheeler, see A10. Here is a snapshot of Barnes' contract compared with the contract of his predecessor, Randy Wheeler: Wheeler's base salary was $173,265. Barnes' base salary is $148,678. Wheeler was provided $5,000 for expenses to move from Fauquier County to Spotsylvania. Barnes lives in the county and did not need relocation expenses. Wheeler's contract was for two years and six months. Barnes agreed to a contract with a term of three years and six months. Wheeler received $8,500 each year in deferred compensation, for a total of $42,500 during his term as county administrator. Barnes did not ask for any deferred compensation. Instead, his contract allows for a one-time 100 percent payment for 90 days of his accrued sick leave when he retires. He has nearly 1,800 hours of accrued sick leave. Wheeler received six months of severance pay. Barnes' contract offers four months of severance pay. When it hired Barnes as county administrator, the Board of Supervisors didn't conduct a national search, a process that can cost more than $20,000.

Follow us on

Read more stories about Spotsylvania
Date published: 11/16/2009

Most recent reader comments: