When a mayor takes office next year following the November election, he or she will start off with a pay increase of more than 40 percent.
The city council voted Monday evening to increase the pay for the mayor’s position from $42,000 to $60,000. The increase will go into effect when a new term begins in January 2027.
The mayor’s position is non-partisan and will be on the ballot in November. Dr. Ronald P. Rogers made the motion for the increase and Sharon Payne seconded the motion.
Payne brought the proposal before the council several months ago and there have been several discussions leading up to Monday’s decision.
Rogers said the mayor’s position has evolved into a full-time job and he considered the $60,000 rate “a good salary.”
There was some discussion about what other mayors with similar size populations make. Council members referenced wage information from the city clerk that showed the median to be around $43,000, with a maximum of $77,500.
Council member Craig Dean said he was concerned about such a large increase all at one time. The council was not clear on when the last increase was given, but council member Hannah Peck said she believed the new rate would be close to the mayor receiving at least a 5 percent increase each year, depending on when the current rate took effect.
Dean said his vote was in no way against Mayor Pam Hoots, whom he said deserves the increase, but he voted no at this time, wishing to have more time to think about it.
Mark Harris, a council member and former mayor, said he would not want to be mayor again even at the new rate.
“It’s a lot to keep up with,” he said.
All other council members approved the increase, apart from Rhonda Loy, who was absent.
The council went into two executive sessions, with the first one concerning the discussion of proposed or pending litigation against or on behalf of the public agency.
Dean left the meeting during the closed session, indicating the topic was Synergy Food Group, where Dean has been the manager. Synergy has breached its contract with the city to pay a lease on property the city owns. The company announced its closure last week.
Dean returned for the second executive session, which was called for discussions between a public agency and a representative of a business entity concerning a specific proposal, if open discussions would jeopardize the siting, retention, expansion, or upgrading of the business.
No action was taken following either of the closed sessions.
Also during Monday’s meeting, the council approved a request for a zone change for 601 and 603 Jamestown St. from residential to highway oriented commercial. A first reading to change the zoning map was also heard regarding the change.
The council also approved second reading of an ordinance to increase fees for garbage collection.
In other business, Hoots received approval to apply for a grant that could pay up to $50,000 to install an elevator in city hall. She informed the council that they may receive a second FEMA grant. They have received $175,000 in reimbursements so far to repair road damage.
Several council members complimented the city, county and state road departments for a job well done throughout the county.
Hoots said the city will have a 225-year anniversary in 2027, and she would like for the council to plan a celebration.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
