New Jersey county association trims pay, perks

In response to criticism about the pay and perks given to its former executive director, the New Jersey Association of Counties is making some changes.

The salary for newly appointed executive director John Donnadio is $140,000. That’s more than 30 percent less than Celeste Carpiano received for the job.

Association President Beth Timberman said Friday there are other reforms.

“We also capped the travel expense to an amount each month, and I think we have addressed the concerns about the Lexus that was being leased for our executive director,” she said. “We’re just letting him use his own car with a travel expense.”

The association’s budget, agenda and resolutions will be put online in an effort to make its actions more transparent.

Timberman said she’s hoping some counties that withheld their dues in protest of the Carpiano’s compensation will now rejoin the association.