Yesterday, October 21st, the Salt Lake Tribune ran an article titled
“Legislative leaders outraged by land agency bonuses”
stating that several leaders were angered by SITLA – the Utah School and Trust Lands Administration, who gave themselves bonuses 2 months early in order to avoid a prohibition on bonuses this year. SITLA fired back saying it was simply an accounting move.
I am not going to cover the whole article, but it states how one SITLA manger received a $35,000 bonus and then a $36,000 bonus on the same day – June 30th.
Here’s my take – I live in Big Water, a town in which State Trust Lands owns @75% of the actual ground due to a land swap that occurred when President Clinton made the Grand Staircase Monument, and I have never understood the bonuses. There has been talk for years of doing away with the bonuses, but the legislature seems unwilling to do so.
I am not sure I understand the “outrage” on the legislature’s part either over something that has been a point of irritation for many in Utah for years. In February a legislative fiscal analyst recommended doing away with the bonuses all together. SITLA responded the bonuses are a important incentive for the land managers. Do Land Managers need bonuses between $13,000 and $35,000 to manage state land with the directive to benefit our school children the best financial way?
I would love to hear your take on this issue – please weigh in below.
