Hide Article Text (OCR)
Superior Court Judge Noel Watkins has ordered county auditor Jimmie Hinkle to pay 12 elected and appointed county officials, including Mrs. Hinkle, a six per cent pay increase granted them Jan. 1 by the board of supervisors. Mrs. Hinkle had refused to include the pay increases in payroll checks issued by her department because of a county charter provision prohibiting elected and appointed county officials from receiving pay increases during their terms in of fice. The board granted the pay increases, effective retroactively to Feb. 13, with full knowledge the department heads would have to file suit and win a favorable court ruling in order to collect. Nine of the officials involved par ticipated in a suit directed against the auditor, seeking a peremptory writ of mandate requiring the payment of the wages granted by the board. Judge Watkins announced his intention to issue the writ after attorneys representing both sides of the case agreed by stipulation the county charter provision was unconstitutional and void. The county officials pointed out in their suit that in a 1970 statewide election voters threw out a portion of the state constitution which had prohibited pay increases for local officials during their terms of office. In a listing of points and authorities, Richard Scheuler, attorney for the county officials, set forth that the state constitution is the “‘supreme law of the state’ and that “once a higher authority has spoken with an intent to occupy the field there is no room for any legislation in the area by lesser authorities.” The points and authorities also noted that similar charter restrictions on county officials in San Diego and San Mateo Counties have been found by the courts to be unconstitutional. In announcing the impending issuance of the writ ordering payment, Judge Watkins said the court found the “auditor was at all times acting in the discharge of her duties and that any failure to comply with the ordinance” allowing the pay increases ‘‘was in good faith.” Participating in the suit against the auditor were Mrs. Hinkle, road com missioner Larry Coleman, assessor-tax collector Robert L. Risberg, sheriff Ron Koenig, clerk-recorder Floyd Hicks, treasurer Ann Womack, agricultural commissioner Don Hill, coroner-public administrator Andrew D. Ward and Corning Judicial District constable Lloyd King. Also granted pay increases by the board, and affected by the judge’s decision are district atto Henry Goff, Red Bluff Justice Cot Judge James P. Lang, and Corning Justice Judge Richard Hultgren. They did not par ticipate in the suit. Attorney Thomas J. McGlynn was hired by the board of supervisors to represent Mrs. Hinkle in the action.
Newspaper Details
Red Bluff Daily News
Red Bluff, California, US
Thu, Jul 10, 1975
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Robert H.
USA 30 Jan 2026
Other Publications Near Red Bluff, California
Red Bluff Daily News
