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County municipalities approve salary hikes for elected officials Four of Clarke County's five municipal governments have voted to raise the pay for their elected mayors and council members beginning with the new four-year terms that begin Nov. 3. By state law, the pay for elected mayors or council members cannot be increased during their terms of office. Hence, raises can only be approved every four years and must come at least six months prior to the municipal elections, slated for Aug. 26 this year. That is why the issue has been on so many agendas lately. Coffeeville Coffeeville is the only municipality that did not increase pay and elected officials discussed the issue there last fall before deciding not to increase the pay. The mayor of Coffeeville makes $200 a month while council members are paid $40 a month. Thomasville Thomasville's mayor continues by far to be the highest paid elected municipal official in the county- and one of the highest paid in the state, based on the city's population. Unlike other area municipalities that have part-time mayors, Thomasville's mayor is considered a full-time position. The Thomasville City Council voted at its last meeting to increase the mayor's salary to $42,995. The mayor also traditionally serves as superintendent of the city's water system and that salary was increased to $28,460. The mayor's monthly expense allowance of $400 a month, or $4,800 annually was not changed. Between the two salaries and the expense allowance, the combined compensation totals $76,255 and represents a 16 percent increase over the last four-year term. Thomasville council members' pay isn't as much as the mayor's but the increase granted last week amounted to a larger raise, percentage wise. Council members will see their monthly salaries increase from $100 a month to $400 a month. In addition, water board members will see their pay increase from $10 per month to $75 per month. Two city council members sit on the water board. Jackson The mayor of Jackson makes $1,200 a month or $14,400 annually now while council members are paid $480 a month or $5,760 annually. Last week, council members there voted a $200 monthly expense check for the mayor and council members beginning with the new terms on Nov. 3. In addition, they agreed to increase their salaries and the mayor's effective in January 2009 to reflect the Consumer Price Index (CPI) cost of living increase. That increase is not known at this time but can run from as little as 1.5 percent to as high as four percent. Fulton The Fulton Town Council voted last week to increase the mayor's pay from $250 a month to $400 a month while council members' pay was hiked from $110 a month to $160 a month. Grove Hill
Grove Hill's elected officials increased the pay for their offices substantially a few weeks ago. The mayor's salary will increase from $500 to $800 a month while council members will see their pay rise from $250 to $400 a month each.
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