I appreciate Andrew Van Buren’s letter to the editor for bringing attention to how the public defender’s raise for Joseph Ermeti, Esq., was handled. It is not difficult to imagine that serving as a public defender in this county comes with significant structural barriers and a professional culture that often treats the role as “less than.” I have also observed political, performative campaigns directed at Mr. Ermeti that appeared to be in poor taste, as well as the circumstances surrounding his abrupt resignation from the town of Sidney, which raised additional questions.
That said, as a county, we must begin to seriously examine the pattern of significant annual salary increases for all county department heads, particularly when there is no corresponding improvement in outcomes, and many county residents are living in or near poverty. The county continues to incur substantial legal expenses stemming from poor decision-making by county leadership. These realities cannot be separated from conversations about fiscal responsibility or public trust.
According to the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) County Salary and Benefits Report, Delaware County’s Public Defender earned $195,625 in 2024. A review of statewide data shows that only one county, Rockland County, pays more, at $227,008. Public defender salaries across New York state vary significantly from county to county, reflecting wide disparities in how these positions are valued and compensated. By comparison, the District Attorney’s salary is $221,100, and district attorneys across New York state are paid nearly identical salaries. This uniformity reflects the state’s emphasis on standardization within the judicial system and, more broadly, a policy structure that prioritizes and financially reinforces prosecutorial power and increased incarceration. However, it also invites scrutiny, particularly given the significant power district attorneys wield, the political dynamics embedded in their offices, and their role in driving incarceration, often disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
Ultimately, county supervisors must begin asking and answering critical questions about who is developing these substantial annual salary increases across all department heads, what standards or performance metrics are being used to justify them, and why they continue to be approved. Greater transparency and accountability are essential if the county expects the public to maintain confidence in how taxpayer dollars are being allocated.
Dotti Howe
Hamden
