DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD CANDIDATE KIEL CHALLENGES BOARD’S REFUSAL TO DISCLOSE PRESIDENT RHINE’S SALARY

Alleges two reasons for withholding the information: (1) The salary is excessively high compared to similar positions at other similarly sized community colleges, and the Board wants to keep it private; (2) The amount is so large that it would shock the average Yavapai County taxpayer who funds it

William Kiel

William Kiel is running against Ray Sigafoos for a seat on the Yavapai Community College District Governing Board in District One, with voters deciding the outcome in November.

During the October 29 District Governing Board meeting, Kiel used the open call to question the Board on an issue he had encountered. He inquired about a claim suggesting that any unspent funds collected and budgeted by the College within a fiscal year cannot be carried over to the next. The Board offered no response.

Kiel also raised concerns about the Board’s refusal to disclose the annual salary of Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine to Yavapai County taxpayers. He asserted that the Board may be withholding this information for two reasons: first, the president’s salary is disproportionately high compared to similar community college positions at similarly sized institutions, and second, the amount is so excessive that Yavapai County taxpayers would be appalled if they knew the details.

Ray Sigafoos

In response, Ray Sigafoos, Kiel’s opponent, excused himself from the Board to address Kiel’s statements. His comments largely mirrored those from a May 21 meeting, when he defended property tax increases by listing the College’s wide-ranging initiatives across Yavapai County, which he argued justified the 8.4% property tax hike in total over the last two years. In his latest remarks, Sigafoos also highlighted what he deemed the College’s recent accomplishments but notably avoided addressing the issue of Dr. Rhine’s undisclosed salary.