Oak Ridge council debates stipend or expense reimbursement for poet laureate; city policy currently bars payments

Oak Ridge City Council discussed whether to reimburse travel or provide a small stipend to the city's poet laureate during the March 17 work session, but the city's policy and charter present immediate constraints.

Julie Fortner reported feedback from the outgoing poet laureate, Rose Weaver, who "noted that she received no compensation for her travel" to events outside the city. Council members raised the question of whether limited expense reimbursement for city‑requested travel or a modest stipend would be appropriate, noting the poet laureate performs civic duties and sometimes travels to represent the city.

Council members urged caution about creating a pay arrangement that might set precedent across other honorary or volunteer roles. "If they're taking trips for the city's benefit and there's cost involved, I think that's a little different," said a council member, arguing that reimbursing city‑directed travel can be reasonable; others worried that paying a stipend could create entitlement or require broader compensation policy changes.

City attorney Miss Racker reminded council that the city policy adopted with the poet laureate resolution "specify that there no city funds would be paid to the poet laureate" and that, under the charter, boards and commissions are prohibited from compensation. Council members responded that the poet laureate role is intentionally flexible and largely honorary; several suggested staff should clarify what obligations would trigger reimbursable travel before the council considers any change.

No change to policy was adopted at the work session; council directed staff to clarify expectations, obligations and whether any limited reimbursements connected to city‑requested travel could be accommodated within existing legal constraints.