ALBANY — Genesee Community College President Dr. James Sunser was the highest-paid municipal government worker in the Finger Lakes region, according to the latest edition of “What They Make,” the Empire Center’s annual report summarizing total local government pay.
Sunser was paid $271,848 during the 12-month period ending March 31, the Empire Center said. He became president at GCC Aug. 1, 2011.
Other data highlights for local government employees in the Finger Lakes region, which includes Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties:
The highest average pay for general municipal workers in the Finger Lakes region was the $58,115 paid to the village of Arcade’s 30 employees.
Eight of the 10 highest-paid employees in the region were county district attorneys.
Four district attorneys are among the 10 highest-paid county and municipal employees for the Finger Lakes region in 2018-19. Orleans County District Attorney Joseph Cardone was third with a salary of $199,872, Following him was Genesee County DA Lawrence Friedman, who was paid $197,600. Wyoming County DA Donald O’Geen County was paid $196,570. In Livingston County, DA Gregory McCaffrey made $196,364.
The amounts listed in the report do not include fringe benefits such as health insurance or pension contributions, which can add more than 35 percent to the cost for taxpayers.
The Empire Center, based in Albany, is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to promoting policies that can make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family.
© 2019 Livingston County News
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