Tempers flared as Frederick County commissioners discussed a possible salary increase for future commissioners during a regular meeting Tuesday.

Commissioner David P. Gray feels so passionately that hard-working county officials deserve more money for the time they spend on the job that he let his temper get the better of him.

During the meeting, Gray made his case that in 2010, newly elected commissioners should get a salary increase from $45,000 to $75,000.

Then, Commissioner Charles A. Jenkins asked County Attorney John Mathias what would happen if during an economic downturn commissioners received a salary increase and county government employees did not.

Before Mathias could answer, Gray mumbled under his breath, "Why don't we just say we'll [work] for free."

Jenkins became enraged. "I don't need your sarcasm, Commissioner Gray," he countered.

Gray replied that he was the least sarcastic member of the board: "That's too damn bad," he said.

Jenkins left the table as Gray attempted to apologize.

"That is terrific, Dave," Jenkins said. "I asked one simple question."

Board President Jan H. Gardner (D) then called for a five-minute break to allow tempers to cool.

The meeting resumed with Gray making a public apology and the salary discussion continuing.

Each year commissioners must submit a "wish list" of legislation to the delegates and senators who represent Frederick County in Annapolis. The delegation will introduce the county bills that they support to the Maryland General Assembly when the three-month session opens in January.

On Tuesday, commissioners whittled down their list of 20 bills to about 14, Gray's included.

On Nov. 6, commissioners will discuss the package of bills again, possibly whittling the list down even further.

Gray is pushing for his salary increase to remain.

"I just think [$75,000] is a reasonable figure regardless of what somebody says," he said. "I think it's right on. [The delegation knows] what it takes to feed a family in Frederick County and they know what it takes to serve. I would like to think that if we present the argument in a fair way our delegation won't reject it."

Gray believes a higher salary will attract a larger pool of commissioner candidates.

This is not the first time he has proposed a pay raise for the board. In 2002, Gray proposed an increase; his board colleagues requested that the then-$30,000 per year salary, be equal to the median household income at the time: $53,415. The Frederick delegation voted down the request.

In 2005, when Gray was not a member of the board, commissioners requested that the salary be increased to the same as that of a state delegate and senator.

The delegation and the General Assembly agreed, and after 16 years the salary was increased from $30,000 to the current $45,000.

In the last 10 years, various discussions have erupted about increasing commissioners' salaries, mostly due to the argument that a commissioner's heavy workload and hours spent on the job warrant it.

The argument continued at Tuesday's meeting.

"In the 30-some years I've worked here, I don't think I've seen any commissioner on average work less than 40 hours," County Manager Ron Hart said. "People assume this is a part-time job and it really isn't."

Gardner agreed that there should be some adjustment to the salary each year, but felt a jump to $75,000 was too much. She is suggests that the salary increase be tied to the Consumer Price Index, set monthly by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The index is a measure of the average price households pay for goods and services. The index can be used to determine wages and pensions.

Gardner is proposing that based on the Consumer Price Index at the time, the salary of a commissioner be increased every four years, when a new board takes office.

Commissioner John "Lennie" Thompson Jr. (R) supported Gardner's proposal, because he felt it would have an easier chance of passing the General Assembly.

"You stick a dollar amount to it and you're not going to get it," Thompson said.

Gray said he would support Gardner's proposal, but felt $75,000 reflected the median household income in the county.

The board did not take a formal vote. Instead, Mathias said he will contact the Maryland Attorney General's Office to ask whether a commissioner's salary can be tied to the Consumer Price Index. He will bring the information back to the board on Nov. 6.