The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is facing some criticism for handing out pay raises and hiring new staff in a tough economy in which other state agencies have had to tighten their belts and many private sector businesses are laying off employees.

The salary increases have cost the district nearly $400,000 more in the first half of 2009 than during the same time last year, and are of particular concern after a hotly debated 20-year property assessment was granted the agency at the beginning of this year to generate an estimated $210 million for dam and watershed improvements.

"I didn't agree with paying salaries out of that money," said Lowell resident Bob McIntyre, who has protested the property tax assessment from the beginning.

"I went to some of the meetings early on, and from the information I received, the reservoirs to the north would be cleaned out, but here we would get what we always get - more flooding," he said. "I just think we needed more public input before the assessment was approved."

According to a breakdown of the total $399,500 pay increase provided by the conservancy district, approximately $190,000 of the money comes out of the property assessment, with the rest from district recreation program revenues.

"The MWCD's revenues are self-generated and presently come from two primary sources: Fees from recreational use of its facilities/natural resources stewardship and collection of an assessment for maintenance and rehabilitation in the Muskingum River Watershed (which began earlier this year)," MWCD Executive Director John Hoopingarner said in a news release submitted to The Marietta Times on Tuesday.

"Assessment dollars, by statute, cannot be used for non-assessment projects and programs, and any payroll dollars that are paid from the assessment collection must be directly related to recognized assessment projects through strict record-keeping procedures," he added.

All full-time conservancy district staff received a 3 percent overall wage increase, approved by the district's board of directors. That translates to $90,000 for the entire year, but Hoopingarner noted that most of that funding comes from recreation sources. Other recreation revenue-funded payouts included $38,500 from implementation of a competitive wage study; $44,000 for union contracts; and $62,500 for minimum wage increases.

New positions and positions filled after retirements and resignations cost a total of $182,000, and some of those positions are funded by assessment monies.

Of 14 new positions, six are paid for assessment-related duties, according to the district news release.

A total of $14,600 goes to the chief engineer and chief financial officer due to upward salary adjustments based on increased duties in managing the assessment program.

Marietta businessman Glenn Newman believes all of the assessment monies should go to maintenance and flood control.

"I've been screaming at these people (MWCD) since the last floods in 2004 and 2005, but it falls on deaf ears," he said.

But Newman has some company this time, including Ohio Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland.

"In testimony (last year), the point was made that they needed the assessment money to maintain dams or the state could be in trouble with the government and (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers," Harris said. "I was shocked when I saw an article in the Columbus Dispatch that said they gave out that amount of raises.

"They know what the economic situation and status of the state budget is, and it looks suspect to give people raises - some 10 or 20 percent," he said.

Harris said he and fellow senators sent a letter to Hoopingarner expressing their concerns.

"We're hoping they'll take some appropriate action on their own to rescind the raises, or whatever is needed," Harris said.

Fellow Senator Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, agreed.

"This raises some serious credibility issues at a time when other state agencies are cutting back and putting employees on furloughs, in addition to private industry layoffs," he said.

Stewart expects the Senate will be taking a closer look at the conservancy district and the possible reorganization of the agency's governing body, which includes the board of directors and a Conservancy Court made up of judges from the district's 18 counties.

Washington County's judge, C. Ashley Pike, however, is from Columbiana County and was appointed after local judges resigned or declined to serve on the Conservancy Court.

State Rep. Jennifer Garrison, D-Marietta, said the district's timing was off.

"This was not the right time for a 3 percent raise for the staff, when state employees had hours cut or they had to take a furlough," she said, adding that the Legislature probably needs to take a closer look at the conservancy district's figures.

And Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Athens, said there has already been a lot of concern about the district's assessment.

"I'm concerned, too," she said. "Flood control projects are important, and the MWCD has an important mission, but it also has to be sensitive that this is a difficult time for everyone."