Budget committee approves new commissioner pay structure, forwards to full legislative body

The Houston County Budget Committee on an unfurnished-date working session voted to adopt a new pay structure for county commissioners, moving from a flat stipend to a $100 base with additional payments for attendance at legislative meetings, committee meetings and special call sessions.

Chair introduced the proposal, noting any change would set pay for the next four years and would not take effect until Sept. 1 if approved by the full legislative body. The proposal was presented as an effort to incentivize attendance at meetings where fiscal decisions are made while reducing the flat base previously paid.

During discussion, members debated whether it was appropriate to change commissioner compensation while county employees had recently received raises. Supporters said the structure better aligns compensation with work and attendance; opponents said it could appear inequitable if employees do not receive parallel increases.

Randall French, Glenn Baggett (appears in roll call as Mr. Bagwell), Vicky Reedy, Chris Pitts and Sir Richard voted in favor during the roll call; Stephanie Smith registered a dissenting vote. The chair said the motion passes and will be presented to the full legislative body for final action.

The committee did not finalize implementation details such as per-meeting rates or exact committee pay levels; staff were asked to include the change in the package submitted to the legislative body for its May consideration.