Commissioners seek to end financial dry spell
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
The county’s Financial Management Committee met this evening and approved a proposal to increase the monthly stipend of county commissioners from $260 to $417. If approved by the full commission, this will be their first raise in 35 years.
“This is going to get controversial,” said County Executive Terry Bell, who made the proposal. “I tried to do this eight years ago and I couldn’t get the support to get it done. In the last 35 years, everybody who works for the county has received a raise. All employees, except one set of employees and that’s the county commissioners.”
Bell provided information that Franklin County pays its commissioners $500 per month, and Putnam County passed a resolution tying its commissioners’ salary to that of its county executive: 1/24th of his/her salary, which automatically increases their salary every time their county executive’s salary is increased by the state.
“That would eliminate ever having to address it again,” said Commissioner Carl D. Bouldin. While he is not on this committee, Bouldin stated he would support the measure when it gets before the full Warren County Commission in the form of a resolution.
Using Putnam’s 1/24th would put commissioners at $416.67, a monthly increase of $156.67. Finance Department Director Justin Cotten requested that commissioners add a provision to the resolution that would allow the amount to be rounded to the nearest dollar, which was approved.
Bell also stated that commissioners are making $40 less per month than Warren County Board of Education members.
“I know there’s going to be a public outcry out there,” said Bell. “I guess that’s to be expected. Those same people who will outcry about it I can guarantee you that they aren’t working for the same thing they did 35 years ago.”
Warren County Schools Director Dr. Grant Swallows made a motion to accept the proposal, with Bell providing a second.
Commissioner Tommy Savage, who was in attendance but not a member of the committee, says he cannot support the increase.
“It would be nice not to completely lose money,” said Commissioner Christy Ross. “For some people, it’s not even covering their gas.”
Commissioner Brad Hillis stated, “I don’t think anyone in this room is comfortable voting themselves a raise, but the fact remains that it has been 35 years. If we don’t do it, it will never be done.”
Dr. Swallows says the commission needs to consider who will be on the commission in 10-15 years without a stipend increase.
“Yes, this benefits you, but you are voting on encouraging people of this district to run for county commission,” he stated. “Ultimately, it is self-serving to you, but at the same time, you are a steward of the position and a steward of the county, and you need to make it attractive to be a part of county government. I’m not saying it’s going to make you rich, but it’s going to make you a steward of the position.”
Commissioner Cole Taylor says people have told him that they’d never want to seek a position on the commission given the monthly stipend being $260 and witnessing the issues commissioners sometimes face.
Commissioners are also required to undergo eight hours of training each year, without additional compensation.
“Do you realize that in 1991, $260 per month was a lot of money,” said Bouldin.
Cotten added, “Minimum wage in 1991 was $3.80.”
Commissioner Scott Rubley stated that he would support the measure now, but he might reconsider between by the time it reaches the full commission.
The measure passed 6-0 on Monday, Aug. 10. Approving the proposal were Bell, Swallows, Hillis, Ross, Rubley and Taylor. Warren County Highway Department Superintendent Levie Glenn was absent.
“The only way we can do this is to do it by Sept. 1,” stated Bell. “After Sept. 1, commissioners cannot change their own pay.”
A resolution will be under consideration during this month’s regular session.