Bruton City Council introduces pay ordinance and approves employee raises, surplus-vehicle sales and routine items

Bruton City Council introduced Ordinance 25-0113-1, a measure to set compensation for the mayor and city council, and approved several routine fiscal items including a wage increase for city employees and the declaration of older city vehicles as surplus.

The council introduced Ordinance 25-0113-1, which the city clerk said must be set at least six months before the new council takes office and therefore would not take effect until the new mayor and council seated in November 2025. A motion to introduce the ordinance was made and seconded; council members recorded affirmative responses during the introduction. The transcript records “Ordinance number 25-0113-1 has been introduced.” The record does not specify the mover and seconder for the introduction vote.

Bruton approved Resolution 25-0113-2 to implement the wage increases that were included in the fiscal 2025 budget. City Clerk Brooke said the increases approved in the budget are typically implemented after first-quarter numbers are confirmed and indicated pay changes would appear on “the next payroll, which is the end of this month, I believe.” The motion to approve Resolution 25-0113-2 was recorded as moved by Councilor Washington and seconded by Councilor Jennings; the council voted to approve the resolution.

The council also approved Resolution 25-0113-3, declaring a list of older vehicles surplus. The city clerk advised most listed vehicles are from the police department and one is from the fire department; the city plans to sell surplus vehicles through an online auction with proceeds going to the general fund. The motion to approve the surplus declaration was moved by Councilor Garlney and seconded by Councilor Barton and the resolution was approved.

On routine consent items, the council approved the minutes from the Dec. 23, 2024 regular meeting and approved the December 2024 accounts payable. Both were moved, seconded and approved during the meeting record.

Mayor Douglas announced the appointment of a nominating committee for the Recreation Board as Thomas Watson’s term expires; the mayor named Councilor Watson and Councilor Barton to that committee. Councilor Watson also announced Martin Luther King Jr. Day events scheduled for Jan. 18, with lineup at 11 a.m. at the City Shop, a procession to the Johnny Fisher Center starting at noon, and vendors and activities for children.

What happens next: If adopted following required procedures, the mayor-and-council compensation in Ordinance 25-0113-1 will take effect when the newly elected mayor and council assume office in November 2025; the wage increases are expected to appear on the end-of-month payroll the city clerk identified as the next payroll; and the surplus vehicles will be sold via online auction with proceeds to the general fund. The record does not specify implementation dates for the vehicle sales or additional administrative steps for the pay ordinance.