Car, insurance part of future mayoral package

By Staff
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's next mayor will not only receive more pay, he or she will also receive health benefits and use of a car.
Hartselle's City Council finally approved the new salary package at Monday night's meeting. The council had been wrangling over the salary and benefits for the next mayor, council and council president for several months.
The council meeting was held on Monday because of Tuesday's Veteran's Day holiday.
The next mayor will earn $24,000 per year. The city will also pay the full cost of the mayor's health insurance and 50 percent of the cost of any dependents. The mayor will also receive use of a car for city business.
Mayor Clif Knight earns $12,000 a year and does not receive health benefits or use of a car. Knight has not said if he will seek another term.
Voting for the increase Tuesday night were Knight and councilmen Dick Carter, Frank Jones and Alvin Abercrombie. Voting against the plan were councilman Tom Chappell and Don Hall. Both Hall and Chappell said they felt the salary should be higher.
Hall introduced a motion Monday to raise the salary to $47,000 but couldn't get enough votes to pass the higher amount.
The council also approved the raises for the council president and future members. The council president's salary will increase from $400 a month to $625 a month. Council salaries will be raised from $400 a month to $500 a month.
Alabama law requires the salaries of the mayor and the city council be set no later than six months prior to a municipal election. Also, because the city's population has exceeded 12,000, Hartselle's next mayor will not serve as a member of the council and will assume many of the duties formerly done by the city administrator. The council president will receive a higher salaries to compensate for those expanded duties.