Pay raise proposed for commissioners

In a Budget and Finance Committee meeting yesterday, Smartt proposed giving commissioners what would amount to roughly a $2,000 a year pay increase.

Commissioners currently receive $260 a month and $15 for every meeting they attend. Based on budget figures, it averages out to $3,495 a year for each commissioner.

Smartt?s proposal would increase the pay to $400 a month and $25 for every meeting attended. Based on estimated figures, it would average out to $5,425 a year for each commissioner.

?Sixteen years without a raise is a long time,? said Smartt. ?You can?t drive to town for $15 a meeting. This is something I support and I?m going to recommend it.?

In addition to salary, commissioners are offered health insurance, and the county contributes 11 percent of their earnings to a retirement account.

A comparison to surrounding counties shows Warren County is in line, or slightly better, than what other county commissioners are paid.

Only 31 percent of the Tennessee counties which made their information available provide health insurance to their commissioners. Only 38 percent contribute to a retirement account.

DeKalb County doesn?t pay commissioners a monthly salary, but pays $75 for full meetings and $40 for committee meetings. Franklin County pays $300 a month and $15 a meeting, but doesn?t offer health insurance or retirement contributions.

Lincoln County pays commissioners $270 a month with no extra pay for meetings and no health insurance or retirement benefits. Putman County pays $175 per month, $100 for full meetings and $15 for committee meetings. Putnam County offers no benefits.

Since only three of the five Budget and Finance Committee members were present, Smartt said another meeting would likely be called next week for further discussion.