Political Sparks Fly Over Salary For Sheriff Goldman, Commissioner Harris Exchange Barbs Over Pay Decrease

Normally mild mannered, Spokane County Sheriff John Goldman vented his anger Tuesday over the county commissioners’ decision to freeze and ultimately cut his salary by $20,000.

Goldman accused Phil Harris, chairman of the commissioners, of engaging in partisan politics to discourage him from seeking re-election.

Goldman is a Democrat; Harris, a Republican.

“This is nothing more than a coercive and deliberate attempt to keep me from running again,” Goldman told the commissioners.

Their meeting started in secret under the pretense of a confidential personnel matter, but it was opened after The Spokesman-Review objected.

Commissioners handed Goldman a resolution freezing his salary at $90,344 a year and told him the next sheriff - he or someone else - will be paid $70,000 to $74,000 starting in 1998.

Harris then fired the first shot, accusing Goldman of talking behind his back and blaming the salary cut on party politics. He said he learned of Goldman’s alleged remarks from friends.

The sheriff didn’t deny making the statement. Sitting across a table from Harris, he returned fire.

“This was done essentially behind my back,” he told Harris, who along with Commissioner Steve Hasson last week ordered Goldman’s salary decreased. Democratic Commissioner John Roskelley agreed to freeze Goldman’s salary but not to cut it.

The action followed a county survey of other Washington sheriffs’ salaries. Behind only King County Sheriff James Montgomery, Goldman is the second-highest-paid sheriff in the state.

“In effect, what you’re doing is creating a disincentive for me running for a second term,” Goldman said. “It’s just a shot from the hip and a shot to the back.

“It smacks … of political partisanship and detracts from the dignity of your office,” he told commissioners.

The sheriff’s salary has been a hot button for Hasson for years because of the way Goldman’s annual raises are administered.

Goldman, thanks to action taken by Hasson and two other commissioners several years ago, is the only elected official in the county whose raises are tied to a union, even though the sheriff negotiates with the union. Hasson now says he regrets that decision.

The sheriff has offered to accept the same raises - 2 percent a year- as the commissioners and most other elected officials. But he didn’t expect to have his salary frozen and, in two years, decreased if he’s re-elected.

While Goldman and Hasson sparred in the past over his salary, Harris was the opponent Tuesday.

“None of this is party politics,” Harris said. “That was a cheap shot, John. I think you owe this board an apology. Then we need to shake hands and get on with it. You’re not being picked on, my friend.”

“Remember, you started this today,” Goldman shot back.

The meeting ended abruptly, and commissioners later in the day signed the resolution freezing Goldman’s salary.

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