Jackson Commission considers increasing commissioner pay
File photo
With the General Election over and two new members set to join the Jackson County Commission in December, the board is going to consider an increase to commissioner pay during its last meeting with the current board makeup.
“None of us got involved for the pay that we receive, but I think it’s time that there should be some consideration for changing that [pay],” said Commissioner Mark Jones.
Jones, along with Commissioner Tom Stribling, did not run for reelection to their seats on the Jackson County Commission. They are set to be replaced by newly elected Jenny Lynn Hooper and Michael Jennings next month.
With his last meeting upon him, Jones decided to raise the issue of commissioner compensation. By waiting until he is about to vacate his seat, Jones was able to comfortably put forth what could otherwise be an uncomfortable topic — commissioners deciding to give themselves a pay raise. If commissioners choose to increase pay, neither Jones nor Stribling would see the effects.
“I’m leaving, it will not benefit me one bit,” said Jones.
In 2016 commissioners were paid $12,00 annually for their work, with the chairman paid $17,000. This fiscal year, commissioner salary is set at $13,295.90 and the chairman salary is set at $18,687.13. In addition, commissioners receive a $2,600 travel allotment and insurance benefits worth $14,932 — access to a county-covered medical and dental plan. They receive a stipend of $75 per day of meetings attended. They do not get the retirement benefits available to longtime county employees, such as a pension, continued health coverage or a 401k.
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In the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, the county budgeted for a total of $391,282 governing body compensation, less than half a percent of the total estimated budget of $93,803,495.
As of 2016, commissioners in Haywood County were compensated $12,952.04 per year. In Macon County, that salary was lower at $10,062.70 for board members and $11,724 for the chairman. In Swain County commissioners made $6,273 annually and the chairman made $12,545 annually.
When Jones broached the topic at the beginning of the month, he insinuated that the high time demand and low compensation rate could deter people from public service.
“Even some of our commissioners, in our conversations, might not make a decision to run again because of that pull on their personal time, and it might be time to make an adjustment, or consider it anyway,” Jones said.
While Commissioner John Smith said he “didn’t do it for the money,” he agreed that working as a county commissioner is “more pull on my time than I thought it would be.” Smith noted that in addition to board meetings and official business, there is a lot of time spent answering phone calls and listening to constituent concerns or running into people around town and having conversations about local issues.
Chairman Mark Letson said he was open for discussion on the topic.
“I’d be happy to lead that on the 19th meeting if that is the pleasure of the board,” Jones said.
The commission will take up the topic of commissioner pay at its Nov. 19 meeting.
