In her recommended budget for next year, County Administrator Rebecca T. Dickson has included a reorganization of county administration.

These changes will affect the county’s six highest paid positions, two of which will either be eliminated or converted to part-time status.

Prior to the recent addition of two new deputy administrator positions, the top five earners were as follows: County Administrator Rebecca T. Dickson, receiving a base salary of $145,000 plus $10,000 in deferred compensation; County Attorney Norman B. Sales, receiving a base salary of $137,000 plus a deferred salary of $10,000; County Assessor Glenn Branham, receiving $96,720; Community Development Director Don Charles, receiving $96,495; and Director of Planning Robert Hammond, receiving $89,040.

According to the recommended budget, after Branham retires this year his position will be converted to part-time status without benefits at a rate of $50.82 per hour for an expected schedule of three days per week.

Hammond is scheduled to retire in October and his position will be eliminated.  Hammond’s duties will shared by other planning department staff, and will be overseen by Charles in his new position as deputy county administrator for community development.

Elected constitutional officers, including the sheriff, commonwealth’s attorney, clerk of circuit court, treasurer and commissioner of the revenue, receive the majority of their funding from the state compensation board and so were not considered for this list

Rebecca Dickson
County Administrator

Compensation:
$145,000, plus $10,000 in deferred compensation that is paid in monthly increments

Job description:
This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal, state and local laws and maintains communication with various sectors in the community. The county administrator serves at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, implementing its policy directives.

Norman Sales
County Attorney

Compensation:
$137,000, plus $10,000 in deferred compensation that is paid in monthly increments

Job description:
This position provides review and preparation of county legislation, contracts and other legal documents; representation in litigation; and legal advice.

Don Charles
Deputy County Administrator for Community Development

Compensation: $104,000
Job description: This position was recently created to oversee the county’s utilities, convenience centers and landfill , the buildings and grounds department, and economic development.

John Wack
Deputy County Administrator for Financial Services

Compensation: $104,000
Job description: This position was recently established to oversee financial reporting for the county, for the general fund as well as the utility enterprise funds.  For this position, 75 percent of the associated costs are reflected in the general fund budget and the remaining 25 percent is allocated to the county utility and the Tuckahoe Creek Service District enterprise funds.

Glenn Branham
County Assessor

Compensation: $96,720, plus a $9,000 car allowance
Job description: The county assessor is responsible for the annual assessment of all real estate in Goochland County and for the maintenance and retention of accurate and up-to-date property records.

The county assessor is retiring and the 2010-2011 recommended budget proposes converting the position to a part-time role without benefits.

Robert Hammond
Director of Planning

Compensation: $89,040
Job description: The director of planning oversees the planning department, which prepares reports for review of zoning cases, conditional use permits, variances and other land use cases, and zoning reviews are conducted for all building permits and plans of developments. The department is also responsible for comprehensive planning, transportation planning, parks and recreation master planning, environmental planning, grant research and demographics.

The director of planning is retiring as of October 10, 2010,  and the 2010-2011 recommended budget proposes eliminating the position.