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Officials clarify new Idaho Transportation Department chief's salary

Brian Ness will make $165,000 overseeing the agency, a substantial increase over what his predecessor made.

BY BETSY Z. RUSSELL - THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Published: 11/21/09


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Idaho's new transportation director is being paid $22,000 a year more than fired director Pam Lowe because the department negotiated a salary that's designed to be a substantial increase from Brian Ness' current salary in Michigan, the department said Friday.

ITD initially reported Thursday that Ness would be paid $160,000 a year, but corrected that Friday to $165,000. His salary as a Michigan transportation official was $118,000, according to ITD spokesman Jeff Stratten, but Ness also faces higher costs in Idaho, from a 15 percent increase in cost of living to higher costs for dental and life insurance and state retirement plan contributions.

Once those costs were calculated in, the $165,000 salary represents a 10 percent increase in Ness' spending power, Stratten said.

Lowe, who is contesting her firing with a lawsuit that alleges sex discrimination and political pressure, made $143,000 a year, a salary that had steadily risen during her 15-year career at ITD, in which she held several different positions. "Salary of the department's director is negotiable," Stratten said. "Pam received promotional increases as her responsibility within the organization grew."

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