Mecklenburg County manager gets raise and a big bonus. Here’s how much she’ll make
Mecklenburg County Manager Dena Diorio is getting a raise and a cash bonus after a review of her performance, the County Board of Commissioners decided Wednesday.
The board approved an 8% increase in Diorio’s base salary at their Wednesday meeting, which combined with other benefits will bring her total compensation package to $505,841.75. She also got a one-time cash bonus of $25,000.
Commissioner Pat Cotham recommended the pay increase after presenting the results of a committee review of Diorio’s performance, which said she “exceeded expectations” in the 2023 fiscal year. Cotham said Diorio has “affected change” and that her new compensation level will help keep her in her post.
“She could make a whole lot more (money) not far down the street,” Cotham said.
Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell voted against the raise and bonus, while Commissioners Elaine Powell and Laura Meier also voted against the bonus. Commissioner Leigh Altman was absent from Wednesday’s meeting.
Diorio thanked the board for the vote of confidence.
“It feels really good to get the kind of recognition that you’re giving me tonight,” she said.
The board unanimously approved earlier in the meeting the appointment of Anthony Trotman, the deputy county manager for health and human services, as acting county manager from mid-September to early October. Diorio will be out of the country during that period on a honeymoon, Powell previously confirmed to the Observer.
The county board’s decision came about a week after the Charlotte City Council elected to give City Manager Marcus Jones a 4% pay raise and a $15,000 bonus in deferred compensation, bringing his base pay to $451,933 and his total compensation package to $521,662.
Diorio has served as Mecklenburg County manager since 2014. She previously served as assistant county manager in Mecklenburg and in other positions in New York City and Connecticut.
This story was originally published September 6, 2023 at 8:16 PM.
