Considering council compensation

By Gracie Hart
Review Staff Writer


Published: August 28, 2008

By Gracie Hart
Review Staff Writer

At last week’s Orange Town Council meeting, the council discussed compensation for its council members but could not reach a resolution.  The issue of compensation came up earlier this summer when new council members Kent Higginbotham and Ryan Gibson said that they did not wish to be paid.
Council generally meets twice a month, with a work session early in the month and a general meeting on the first Tuesday of every month.  Aside from meetings, council members also have “homework,” reviewing information prior to and after meetings, as well as time spent interacting with constituents.
According to Town Clerk Wendy Chewning, town council members are paid $300 a month, totaling $3,600 a year, while the town mayor is paid $400 a month, totaling $4,800 a year.  The problem with not receiving payment is that it may result in the loss of the council member’s insurance, an issue that will be discussed further at the next meeting.  However, by not taking the pay, two council members say they’ll save the town money.  Mayor Henry Lee Carter disagrees.
“I don’t think that $3,600 a year is going to make an increase of funds for the town,” he said.  “It seems to me that if you don’t want the money, the food bank could use it.”
Council member Gibson disagrees.
“I’m doing a community service in the job so I didn’t feel the need for taking any compensation,” he said.  “I didn’t want to be a burden on tax payers.”
Meanwhile, Nancy Alexander presented the council with a list of what other councils in nearby areas are being paid.
“We appear to be the lowest of the low,” she said.  “I would like to see compensation for the planning commission and all of their hard work.”
However, a survey of area councils shows Gordonsville’s council members are paid less than the town of Orange.
Gordonsville council members are paid $1,536 annually or $128 a month.  The mayor is paid $2,460 annually or $205 a month.  The Gordonsville Town Council meets only once a month.  However, council members receive no other benefits.
“No retirement, no health insurance or anything like that,” said twon manager Sabrina Martyn.
The Town of Culpeper’s council members make $900 a month, or $10,800 annually while the mayor makes $1,200 a month, or $14,400 a year.  The council meets once a month in addition to any committee meetings and special called meetings.  The Town of Warrenton’s council members make $400 a month, or $4,800 a year while the mayor makes $800 a month, or $9,600 a year.  Their council meets twice a month, one regular meeting and one work session.  The Town of Louisa’s council members make $200 a month, or $2,400 a year, while the mayor makes $300 a month, or $3,600 a year.  The councils in the towns of Madison and Stanardsville receive no payment for their services. 
For comparison, Orange County Supervisors are paid more than any of their Greene, Madison, or Culpeper county counterparts.
“The chairman of the board [in Orange] makes $15,000 a year while the other board members make $12,000,” said board clerk Donna Curry.  “There are no benefits but members can get insurance if they choose.”
Broken down, the chairman receives $1,250 a month while the board members receive $1,000 a month.  The board meets twice a month in addition to other committee meetings and functions which the members serve in.
Greene County supervisors make $757.17 a month or $9,086.04 a year while the chairman makes $851.75 a month, or $10,221 a year.  Madison County supervisors make $750 a month, or $9,000 a year while their chairman makes $833.33 a month, or $9,999.96 a year supervisors in Culpeper County make $931.90, or $11,182.80 a year with the chairman making $1,056.90 a month, or $12,682.80 a year.
Another local community service reference point is the Orange County School Board.
“Board members earn $4,200 a year with the chairman making the same,” said Barbara Hill.  “If they elect to participate, we will offer them the same thing as an employee which is that we pay their contribution share for their insurance.”
Broken down, school board members receive $350 each month and meet twice during the month with a work session and a regular meeting.
“They don’t get a lot for what they do but it helps them cover their expenses,” she added.
The Orange Town Council’s discussion on council members’ compensation will be discussed again at their next meeting on September 15.  The vote to carry over the discussion to the Sept. meeting was passed 4-1 with Alexander being the dissenter.