Some agency directors paid more than salary caps

Thursday, April 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A study requested by the governor shows six state agency directors were paid more than their salary caps in the past fiscal year, according to the Office of State Finance.

In addition, 10 directors will exceed the caps if their February rate of pay continues through June.

Gov. Frank Keating asked for the study last month after the director of the state Human Rights Commission resigned amid allegations that her salary exceeded statutory limits.

The finance office "found no further instances of agenc ydirectors improperly raising their salaries," Keating said Wednesday.

"Although the report reflects that certain agency directors' salaries are higher than the cap set by their respective government board or state statute, the reasons why are clear," Keating said.

He said some agencies count expense allowances as salary and some count it in addition to mandated salary.

"Some agency directors have accepted standard state employee pay raises, thus bumping their salary over the mandated cap," he said. "I believe expense allowances should count toward the salary cap set by the governing board or state statute and not be used above and beyond a director's regular mandated salary."

The governor said the study raises other questions, including one deserving attention from state lawmakers.

"The Legislature should examine the issue of how standard state employee pay raises, such as the one just recently approved by legislators, are administered to agency directors who have reached their salary cap," he said.