A suburban Washington county is withholding money for a local charity over its top executive’s pay, reports The Washington Examiner.

The Montgomery County, Md., Council eliminated a $55,000 grant to Food & Friends, a Washington nonprofit organization that delivers meals to people with HIV/AIDS and cancer, to “send a clear signal” about the compensation of the organization’s executive director, Craig Shniderman, council member George Levantha said. Mr. Shniderman earned $357,447 in salary and benefits in 2007.

Robert Hall III, president of the charity’s board, said the director’s pay was determined “after careful study” and following the recommendation of an independent consultant. Mr. Shniderman’s pay has been frozen this year.