/ Modified sep 30, 2016 8:52 p.m.

Candidates Disagree on County Administrator's Salary

Top county job at issue in supervisor races in Districts 4 and 5.

The top unelected official in Pima County is Chuck Huckelberry, the county administrator. He earns $320,000 a year, and that's too much, say two Green Party candidates seeking a seat on the Board of Supervisors.

Green Josh Reilly is running against Republican Steve Christy for the open seat in District 4. That's the seat held now by Republican Ray Carroll, who endorsed Christy after he decided not to seek re-election. Huckelberry should not be paid so much in a county with high rate of poverty, Reilly said.

Christy's top issue is bringing a leadership role back to the Board of Supervisors. He said the board has for too long relied on Huckelberry to set the agenda and policies of the county, with the board essentially rubber-stamping Huckelberry's suggestions.

The incumbent in District 5, Democrat Richard Elías, said the board relies on Huckelberry's decades of experience and that he earns his pay. Elías also said the board carefully weighs the administrator's proposals, such as economic development deals.

Green candidate Martin Bastidas is running against Elías. Huckelberry should be fired, Bastidas said, and that would help solve some of the county's financial strain. The county has more than $1 billion in road work needs, and Bastidas said reducing administrator pay would provide funding for other services.

All four candidates appeared on this week's episode of *Metro Week.

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