Westchester County Executive Andy Spano is eliminating the 2008 retroactive pay raises for his top-level employees.

County employees making more than $155,000 a year will not receive a previously promised pay increase of about $5,000 this year. County officials say the move is a response to criticisms they've taken from frustrated residents in a down economy.

While the county board's Republican minority opposed the raises, Democratic lawmakers argue the county's union workers are still receiving salary increases and, in some cases, will pull in more than their bosses.

George Oros, Republican minority leader on the county board, says he wants officials to take additional measures to tighten the budget, like reducing the security detail for the county executive and getting rid of the mounted police unit used for crowd control.

?We can't afford these luxuries anymore,? Oros says.

Marty Rogowsky, the Democratic majority leader, criticizes Oros? approach to the economic crisis. He says his colleague in the county legislature should take part in budget discussions instead of holding press conferences.

Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz says taxpayers frustrated by high living costs should also look to their own communities, where he says many mayors and village managers make more than top county personnel.

"We understand that we all have to make sacrifices," says Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz (D). "We all have to tighten our belt, and we're doing just that."

The county board is expected to meet Monday to talk about reducing the proposed 3 percent property tax increase.

For interviews with Schwartz and Oros, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.