Bringing home the bacon: What do top 10 paid Springfield, county officials make?

Sangamon County and the City of Springfield employ thousands of locals for a variety of services, ranging from law enforcement, street maintenance, Lincoln Library services and more.

The pay which they receive is also of much variation.

Here's a look at the top paid local government officials serving Springfield and Sangamon County.

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1. Doug Brown

The only official to make more than $250,000 is Doug Brown of City Water, Light and Power. His 2022 base pay was $253,844 according to public records.

Brown serves as Chief Utility Engineer, where he is tasked with oversight of the Electric, Water and Finance divisions and Regulatory Affairs. He has worked for the utility since 1994, previously serving as the Major Projects Development Director.

2. Dan Wright

The top-paid county official is Sangamon County State's Attorney Dan Wright, who receives an annual salary of $197,436 per county records.

Wright has served as state's attorney for the county for nearly five years, replacing John Milhiser. He is now a candidate to the fill the associate judge vacancy in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

3. Brian McFadden

Brian McFadden has served as county administrator since 2008, replacing current SSGA CEO and President Ryan McCrady who had left to be city manager of Decatur.

This year, his salary will be $178,709- part of the $1.03 million going to the county board and administration.

4. Craig Reiser

Craig Reiser, Sangamon County Public Defender, receives $177,692 in annual pay. Reiser has served in the role since 2020 after serving as a part-time public defender for two decades.

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5. Scott Rogers

Scott Rogers is the CWLP Electric Division Manager, having served with the utility in a wide array of positions since 1995. His base salary for 2022 was $177,199.

6. Todd LaFountain

Another CWLP employee, Water Division Manager Todd LaFountain, makes the list with his pay last year being $159,311.

With the utility since January 1995, LaFountain oversees the Water Purification Plant, the Water Distribution and Engineering Department and the Land and Water Resources Division.

7. Jack Campbell

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, the 51st sheriff to serve the county, is to receive $157,692 this year.

He won an uncontested election for sheriff, securing a second term. Campbell had previously retired from the office in 2016 after working there for 24 years as an undersheriff.

8. Rick Meadows

Starting with CWLP in 1996, Ricky Meadows now serves as Transmission and Distribution Director. His pay for 2022 was $154,878 - up by more than $3,000 from the year prior.

9. Ken Scarlette

Ken Scarlette started his tenure as Springfield Police Chief in January 2022, after being with the department since 1998. His base salary for last year was $150,175.

10. Nathan Bottom

Nathan Bottom was replaced by Dave Fuchs as the new director of Public Works among a series of leadership changes to begin Mayor Misty Buscher's term.

Bottom received $150,008 last year. He now serves as chief city engineer.

Contact Patrick M. Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Who's top paid in Springfield and Sangamon County government?