Editor, Your article on city council/mayor pay raises left out a couple of important issues.
When the mayor was asked if his position was part-time or full-time, he replied he would “assume it is full-time.”
In fact, I believe our city charter places the mayor’s position in the part-time category.
I asked the council to table any vote on pay raises until the charter is officially changed to make the mayor’s position a full-time mayor. Either that or lower the pay raise accordingly. (The mean wages in Georgia are $39,000 annually for a 40-hour week.)
I asked for a reading of the statute that covers pay raises for elected officials. Neither the mayor nor the city attorney ever explained the statute to the citizens present.
I feel, as a taxpayer, my concerns on the two issues should be answered.
If I were to employ someone for $40,000 a year, you better believe we would have a written understanding of whether you are part-time or full-time.
The other important area that was not addressed is whether or not this pay raise has any affect on medical and/or retirement benefits of the mayor and council members. What is the cost increase to the taxpayers?
I commended council member Kenny Shaw for voting against the pay raise. Kenny made the right assessment when deciding how to best serve his community. Thank you, Kenny.
When the mayor was asked if his position was part-time or full-time, he replied he would “assume it is full-time.”
In fact, I believe our city charter places the mayor’s position in the part-time category.
I asked the council to table any vote on pay raises until the charter is officially changed to make the mayor’s position a full-time mayor. Either that or lower the pay raise accordingly. (The mean wages in Georgia are $39,000 annually for a 40-hour week.)
I asked for a reading of the statute that covers pay raises for elected officials. Neither the mayor nor the city attorney ever explained the statute to the citizens present.
I feel, as a taxpayer, my concerns on the two issues should be answered.
If I were to employ someone for $40,000 a year, you better believe we would have a written understanding of whether you are part-time or full-time.
The other important area that was not addressed is whether or not this pay raise has any affect on medical and/or retirement benefits of the mayor and council members. What is the cost increase to the taxpayers?
I commended council member Kenny Shaw for voting against the pay raise. Kenny made the right assessment when deciding how to best serve his community. Thank you, Kenny.
Reginald B. Sage
Hinesville
Hinesville