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Democratic candidate for Monroe County executive, Sandy Frankel, is calling on the current administration to release details about the salary and responsibilities of Bill Taylor, the Republican candidate for district attorney.
But while the position was previously vacant, and not included in the 2011 budget, some county officials say the position doesn't expend any extra taxpayer dollars.
Taylor was appointed to the office of special counsel after serving as county attorney. The appointment came earlier this year around the same time as his candidacy was announced.
"I have to question as to whether this job is actually needed," Frankel said at a morning press conference. "Monroe County is in a budget crisis. County Executive Brooks is in no position to hand out hundreds of thousands of dollars to her political cronies so they can run for office."
The situation was previously questioned by Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature. The Legislature's Democratic Minority Leader Ted O'Brien sent a letter to the county's administration on July 25, requesting an explanation behind Taylor's appointment, responsibilities and salary by the Aug. 9 legislature meeting, which was not provided.
Frankel says a response to that letter still has not been issued. She continued to criticize the appointment, saying that "any government ought to be able to provide a job description."
County offiicals say the position is budget neutral, and Brooks chose to appoint Taylor due to his quality of legal advice.
"By serving in this new capacity, Bill can continue to counsel the county executive and department heads on a variety of ongoing special projects, legislative priorities, litigation, and the County's annual budget process," said director of communications Noah Lebowitz in an email.
Lebowitz said when Taylor left the county attorney position, it was filled by David Van Varick, whose position of first deputy county attorney was left open.
As special counsel, Taylor will earn anywhere from $94,591 to $118,520 annually, the level for salary group 25. That's the same salary group that the position of special counsel was in when it was included in previous budgets, and the same salary group for first deputy county attorney.
As county attorney, Varick will earn between $109,496 to $136,913.
Democratic candidate for Monroe County executive, Sandy Frankel, is calling on the current administration to release details about the salary and responsibilities of Bill Taylor, the Republican candidate for district attorney.
But while the position was previously vacant, and not included in the 2011 budget, some county officials say the position doesn't expend any extra taxpayer dollars.
Taylor was appointed to the office of special counsel after serving as county attorney. The appointment came earlier this year around the same time as his candidacy was announced.
"I have to question as to whether this job is actually needed," Frankel said at a morning press conference. "Monroe County is in a budget crisis. County Executive Brooks is in no position to hand out hundreds of thousands of dollars to her political cronies so they can run for office."
The situation was previously questioned by Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature. The Legislature's Democratic Minority Leader Ted O'Brien sent a letter to the county's administration on July 25, requesting an explanation behind Taylor's appointment, responsibilities and salary by the Aug. 9 legislature meeting, which was not provided.
Frankel says a response to that letter still has not been issued. She continued to criticize the appointment, saying that "any government ought to be able to provide a job description."
County offiicals say the position is budget neutral, and Brooks chose to appoint Taylor due to his quality of legal advice.
"By serving in this new capacity, Bill can continue to counsel the county executive and department heads on a variety of ongoing special projects, legislative priorities, litigation, and the County's annual budget process," said director of communications Noah Lebowitz in an email.
Lebowitz said when Taylor left the county attorney position, it was filled by David Van Varick, whose position of first deputy county attorney was left open.
As special counsel, Taylor will earn anywhere from $94,591 to $118,520 annually, the level for salary group 25. That's the same salary group that the position of special counsel was in when it was included in previous budgets, and the same salary group for first deputy county attorney.
As county attorney, Varick will earn between $109,496 to $136,913.
