City Commission Puts Proposed Pay Hike for Board Off For Now

The Toccoa City Commission will re-visit a proposed pay raise for the commission at another meeting next month.

On Monday, city commissioners again discussed a pay increase ordinance.

Under the ordinance change, the pay for a city commissioner would increase from $8,400 per year to $15,000 per year starting in 2018, while the pay for the mayor would increase from $10,800 per year to $15,996 per year starting in 2018.

According to Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse, city commissioners’ pay has remained unchanged since 1999 and the job since then has become more complicated and time-consuming.

However, some residents questioned the pay hike proposal at a meeting two weeks ago.

On Monday, Toccoa City Commissioner Jeanette Jamieson made a motion to put the matter off until the city commission’s meeting on June 21 and re-visit it then.

“Between now and that time, (I move) that we put together a benefits package comparable to the county commission so that the public can see the responsibility and authority called on from the city commission compared to that that the county commission has and their compensation,” said Jamieson.

Looking at the pay for Stephens County Commissioners, county officials state that the commissioners have a base salary set in the Charter of $12,000 per year.

After that, commissioners receive extra pay for completing training, state cost of living increases, longevity, and serving as chairman.

Currently, county officials state that the minimum base pay for a Stephens County Commissioner is $15,556.42 per year.

Jamieson’s motion passed unanimously.

City Commissioner Gail Fry said she also feels the issue needs more consideration.

“That is not to say that there would not be some raise in the compensation, but I think it deserves more conversation with us and looking at the amounts more carefully again,” said Fry.

Meanwhile, resident David Tate spoke again on the proposed pay hike.

He said that he understands the desire to make the city commission’s pay more comparable to the county’s, but added that he still has questions.

“What they are asking for is similar in pay, but I am not sure yet on the duties that involve county commissioners and city commissioners,” said Tate.

Tate also said he questions if the raise needs to be nearly 80 percent all at one time.

As for putting the issue off until next month, City Attorney John Dickerson said the city will not have to have two new readings under the motion made by Jamieson, but could vote on it at the June 21 meeting.

City commissioners are moving their June 27 meeting to June 21 because of a schedule conflict.