Smyrna City Council Rescinds Pay Raise, Aligns with City Workers

The Smyrna City Council has unanimously voted to rescind a pay raise for itself, just like the city's budget which eliminates pay raises for city workers. The decision comes as the city tries to balance its finances, having laid off six employees and eliminated 42 vacant positions in 2010. The council's pay raise was scheduled to increase every January from 2008 to 2011, but it will now be put on hold. Mayor Max Bacon, who earns $1,900 a month, expressed concern that the council's action may be seen as hypocritical, especially if the economy doesn't improve.

Key Takeaways:

• The Smyrna City Council rescinded a pay raise for itself, to be in line with the city's budget that eliminates pay raises for city workers.
• The pay raise was scheduled to increase every January from 2008 to 2011.
• The council's decision comes as the city tries to balance its finances, having laid off six employees and eliminated 42 vacant positions in 2010.
• Mayor Max Bacon hopes to revisit the pay raise in the future if the economy improves, but expressed concern that the council's action may be seen as hypocritical.
• City Manager Wayne Wright suggested that the council approve a four-year salary plan for itself, which would align with their four-year terms.
• The council eliminated 9 vacant positions in 2010 and reduced the 2010 budget to maintain the tax rate the same.

Statistics:

• $1,900: The current monthly salary for Mayor Max Bacon.
• $1,425: The current monthly salary for council members.
• 6: The number of employees laid off by the city in 2010.
• 42: The number of vacant positions eliminated by the council in 2010.
• 9: The number of city positions eliminated in 2010.

Sources:

• The Highlander (newspaper)
• Smyrna City Council meetings (no date)
• Mayor Max Bacon's statement (no date)
• City Manager Wayne Wright's statement (no date)