Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Interim Administrator Compensation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oconee County Council approves temporary pay increase for interim administrator, authorizes consultant hire
Summary
After a closed executive session on terms of engagement for the interim county administrator, Oconee County Council unanimously approved a $2,000-per-month pay increase for the interim administrator and authorized hiring a supporting consultant at up to $3,000 per week.
Oconee County Council unanimously approved a temporary $2,000-per-month pay increase for Interim County Administrator Phil Shirley and authorized him to hire a supporting consultant at a rate not to exceed $3,000 per week following a closed executive session on Oct. 24, 2025.
The action came after Council — chaired by Matthew Durham, chairman of Oconee County Council — voted 5–0 at 3:01 p.m. to enter executive session under §30-4-70(a) of the South Carolina Code of Laws to "receive legal advice and discuss terms of engagement with respect to the interim County Administrator," according to the meeting minutes. John Elliott moved to enter executive session; Glenn Hart seconded the motion.
Council returned from executive session at 3:59 p.m. and immediately took formal votes. Glenn Hart, chairman pro tem, moved and Thomas James, District IV council member, seconded approval of a $2,000-per-month pay-rate increase for Shirley "until he returns to his role as the PRT Director," a motion the council approved 5–0. At the request of County Attorney David Root, council also approved (motion by John Elliott, seconded by Glenn Hart, vote 5–0) authorization for the interim administrator to hire a supporting consultant at a rate not to exceed $3,000 per week.
The minutes record that County Attorney David Root requested both post–executive-session actions. The meeting packet and on-record agenda language note that Council meetings are conducted pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and Model Rules of Parliamentary Procedure for South Carolina counties; the meeting was held in Council Chambers at 415 South Pine Street in Walhalla and was livestreamed on the county website.
The special meeting convened at 3:00 p.m.; Durham called for a moment of silence and the invocation was given by County Attorney David Root in his capacity as the Council chaplain. Phil Shirley led the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. after a unanimous vote to end the session.
The minutes do not specify the duration of the pay increase beyond stating it will continue "until he returns to his role as the PRT Director," nor do they provide details about the scope of work or selection process for the consultant; those items were not specified in the posted minutes.
