Following last week’s discussion of a potential pay increase for Athens City Council members, an ordinance authorizing the increase will be introduced Monday night.
Four years ago, council members voted to freeze their wages indefinitely in response to the struggling national economy –– a halt in pay increases that is still in effect.
The wage freeze is outdated, said Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, who added that council members should receive a more modest pay raise in response to inflation.
“At the time we were worried about some grave fiscal issues and it made complete sense,” Butler said. “I see merit in a one percent raise in the future because of cost of living increases and whatnot.”
Council members will also read ordinances that could put city money to use elsewhere. These appropriations would be used for assessments of sidewalks on North Court Street and for debt payments for the sewer fund.
City Council will meet Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the City Building, and is scheduled to be followed by an executive session regarding collective bargaining rights of city employees.
Check out this previous Post article following last Monday's Athens City Council meeting, when the pay increases were first discussed.
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