Houston City Council proposes new compensation structure for mayor and council members

In a recent government meeting held in Hoschton City, Jackson County, Georgia, city officials discussed a significant change to the compensation structure for elected officials. The proposed plan aims to adjust the mayor's monthly salary to $1,500 and each council member's salary to $1,000. This change is designed to replace existing benefits, which are currently costing the city more, with a straightforward compensation model. The city anticipates that this shift will lead to long-term savings for the municipality.

The discussion highlighted the importance of being responsible stewards of public funds. By eliminating benefits and increasing salaries, officials believe they can streamline expenses while ensuring that elected representatives are fairly compensated for their service. This proposal is set to take effect in January 2026, contingent upon timely approval before the upcoming qualifying period in mid-August.

Additionally, a council member proposed a performance-based compensation policy, suggesting that elected officials' pay should be linked to their attendance at meetings. This would mean that if officials do not meet a certain attendance threshold, their compensation could be adjusted downward. While this idea received support, officials acknowledged that the details of such a policy would need further discussion and could be addressed in a future meeting rather than being tied to the current compensation changes.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for public input, allowing citizens to voice their opinions on the proposed changes and any other agenda items. As the city moves forward with these discussions, the implications of the new compensation structure and potential performance policies will be closely watched by both officials and residents alike.