Commissioners in Orange County approve 25% pay raise for themselves

Commissioners in Orange County have approved a 25% pay raise for themselves following a Board of County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Sept. 12. 

Commissioners' pay will jump from $91,158 to $113,608, an increase of 24.58% or $22,450, starting next week.

Although Mayor Jerry Demings previously voted against the switch, his pay will now rise about $45,000 to $227,812.

The pay for commissioners would have risen $6,381, or 7%, under the previous guideline from 1996.

Commissioners in counties such as Seminole, Broward and Volusia make more than commissioners in Orange County, although Orange County boasts more than double the residents at more than 1.4 million. 

With Demings absent, the BCC voted 4-2 to set their pay using the new population-based state method. 

In the future, the percentage increases in pay awarded to non-bargaining employees would limit the salary hikes.