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Putnam County commissioners adopt formula tying future commissioners’ pay to mayor’s salary
Summary
The Putnam County Commission approved a resolution to tie future commissioners’ pay to one‑twentieth of the county mayor’s salary, to be paid monthly and implemented when the next commission takes office; the measure passed 18–6 after questions about timing and the effect on pay.
The Putnam County Commission voted to adopt a resolution that ties future commissioners’ pay to one‑twentieth of the county mayor’s salary, with pay distributed monthly and per‑meeting as currently done. The measure passed by roll-call vote, 18 yes to 6 no.
The resolution, presented by the rules committee and explained from the chair’s seat, would set each commissioner’s salary at one‑twentieth of the mayor’s pay and convert the existing per‑meeting stipend into a monthly payment. The resolution also increases the chairman’s supplemental monthly pay and the budget‑committee per‑meeting supplement from $25 to $50.
"So as far as how we get paid, it wouldn't change. We'd get paid once a month," the Chair said while describing the mechanics of the proposal and noting the change would only take effect when the newly elected commission takes office in September and assuming the budget committee includes the adjustment in that year’s budget.
Commissioners pressed for clarity about amounts and timing. Commissioner Bennett noted the current per‑meeting stipend is $200 and asked for the comparable monthly figure under the proposed formula. The Chair said the equivalent would be about $473 a month.
"What we're doing is not adopting a new dollar amount. What we're doing is adopting a formula that will be used going forward in perpetuity," Commissioner Williams said, stressing the change is a formula tied to the mayor’s salary rather than a fixed pay increase.
Commissioner Phipps moved to approve the resolution and Commissioner Bondra seconded. The Clerk conducted a handset roll-call; the Clerk reported 18 yes and 6 no and the Chair declared the motion passed.
The resolution explicitly waits to take effect until the next commission is seated, and its implementation depends on the budget committee including the adjustment in the applicable budget year. Several commissioners expressed concern that, despite removing direct control over raises, the formula will still result in higher pay for commissioners when mayoral salaries increase.
The commission did not set a specific effective date beyond the transition to the next seated commission, and the motion as adopted did not specify a retroactive pay change.
