Out of My Mind | Get all the facts before passing judgment

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

— This week, Pea Ridge City Council members voted to decrease the salary for the office of mayor for the term beginning Jan.

1, 2011. They agreed to reconsider the salary at the January meeting (which will be Jan. 18, 2011). The reasoning given by councilman Bob Cottingham, who made the motion, was that salaries vary depending on experience and credentials.

The salary was set for $26,500 beginning Jan. 1, 2011. The current salary is $40,028.05.

Since the meeting there has been a firestorm of backlash against the city government. Much of the information being disseminated is not factual.

Fact: From 1994 to Oct. 4, 2004, the position of mayor was part-time for a salary of $500 per month ($6,000 a year).

Fact: The position of mayor became a full-time position Oct. 4, 2004, for $28,799.68 per year. It was increased in October 2004, in January 2006, and in January 2007.

Fact: The current salary was approved January 2008. The mayor did not receive a raise in 2009 or 2010.

Fact: State law prescribes that, during the term for which the mayor has been elected or appointed, the salary may be increased, but not decreased except upon the request of the mayor.

Fact: In December 2008, the Pea Ridge City Council, upon the recommendation of former councilman Brian Nave, approved an amendment requiring that the council shall “refix the compensation for the office of mayor for the succeeding term of the office” at the regular September meeting prior to the election. Prior to that amendment, there was no regular date for addressing the mayor’s salary.

At the special meeting held Dec. 30, 2008, councilman Bob Cottingham noted that the mayor’s salary had been considered on an annual basis. The mayor’s salary was addressed at the Dec. 16 meeting, but no raise was given.

Stating that potential candidates “should know what they’re running for,” Nave (in December 2008) said the salary should be set in September.

Problem is, the filing period is in August. So all four of the people who filed to run for mayor did so thinking the pay was $40,000, although talk around town and on the Internet have the salary as high as $43,000.

The Council should amend the ordinance to set the mayor’s salary prior to the filing period so those seeking the position know up front what the position pays.

When the council members discussed the salary in December 2008, they said they didn’t want to set the salary so high that it would be the motivating factor for someone to run for the position.

Should salary be a motivating factor? Although I’d like to say it shouldn’t, in reality it is. A person earning a wage in any other career has to consider the salary in order to provide for his or her family.

Pea Ridge has changed.

It has more than doubled in size and the responsibilities of the mayor are multitudinous. Government regulations dictate much of what can - and can’t - be done in the city.

Gone are the good-ole’- boy days when a mayor could hire his best friend or neighbor for any job.

State law requires bidding on expenditures of a certain amount as well as certification for many positions.

It’s a big job that requires a person with experience.

That experience costs money.

Did the council err?

Maybe.

I cannot know their motives for sure, but from what the council members say, they were trying to be good stewards of the city’s money. They obviously varied in their opinions as it took three motions and a split vote before a final decision was made.

A council is comprised of people, and people make mistakes. We elect our governing officials - councilmen, mayor, school board members. We hope they’re honest, noble and trustworthy.

The council plans to readdress the mayor’s salary in January.

They should consider amending the ordinance setting the compensation adjustment as well to set the salary prior to the August filing period so all candidates know what the position pays.

Each council member has stated that they welcome input from the citizens. Unfortunately, some citizens have been rude and demeaning.

I applaud the people who seek to serve our city.

I hope that our residents will share their input in a courteous and respectful manner, even when they disagree.

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County. A native of Louisiana, she moved to this area in 1980. She has nine children and one grandchild. She can be reached at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 09/29/2010