OAK GROVE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The current pay of the Oak Grove mayor and city council was debated during a recent meeting, initiating talks about priorities for the city’s budget moving forward.
Oak Grove Mayor Jackie Oliver confirmed that the role of mayor is a part-time position, although that distinction does not necessarily limit hours served. During the march 17 meeting, the city council discussed the possibility of making changes next term to make it a full-time position. Councilmember Isaiah Spencer initiated the talk, saying he believes that the person serving as mayor should have to commit all of their time to the job.
“I know it’s painful but in my opinion the mayor’s position is a full-time position either way,” said Councilmember John Campbell during the meeting. He shared that with the city should utilize any increase in revenue to focus on investing in the fire department.
During discussion, councilmembers shared that the hypothetical change in designation to the mayor’s position should not include a pay increase. This factor coupled with the responsibilities of the role had them reconsider.
“Respectfully, it’s a task-oriented position so you may set an expectation as far as full time versus part time, but realistically it’s about task accomplishment,” explained City Attorney Lee Wilson. He added that the council can control the pay the mayor receives but do not have the authority to dictate the hours the mayor serves. He believes that changing the distinction without a pay increase would not make much of a difference.
City Council raises shot down
In a similar vein, during the meeting Spencer suggested that councilmembers receive a raise in addition to regularly scheduled incremental raises saying, “All I’m living off of is my retirement and my disability…I’m not going to stay here forever, trust me, and I’m favoring not to run this term.”
Although he elaborated that he and the fellow councilmembers hold this position to help the city, not for the compensation, he suggested that a higher pay may entice more people to join the council.
“I think that the amount of time that each of us put in, and the level of skill that a lot of us have, it should be more than $214 dollars a month,” said Councilmember Janet Edwards. “But I think that our budget is just so tight this year again, that I don’t think we can warrant it.”
Councilmember Campbell added that recent growth with Buc-ee’s, the dispensary, auto auction and new housing will help the city down the road to bring in more revenue after the fire department gets the upgrades they are aiming for. he said, “We should use growth to pay for growth.”
Edwards attempted to pass a motion that would prohibit merit raises for city employees. However, the city attorney said that would not be possible for the city council to enact. No additional action regarding raises or a change in distinction was made during the meeting.
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