Raises sought for Olive Hill mayor and council members

By Nicole Back

Dec. 24, 2008 — Olive Hill’s mayor needs a raise, according to one Olive Hill City Council member. Gayle Smith suggested the mayor’s salary raise from $640 to $1,500 a month.

He made his comments at this month’s city council meeting.

The raise would not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2011, when the next mayor takes office.

“I’ve been mayor and I know Danny’s been mayor for six years and if you do a mayor’s job it’s not two hours a day, three hours a day, whatever,” Smith said. “It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. And to be able to really efficiently operate this job you’ve got to spend a lot of time with it.”

Smith said it is apparent that there is not enough interest in local politics because only six people ran for the current council member positions.

“I thought it might be a good time to draw forward some other people that want to run for mayor and city council,” he said. “It might make our city operate and do better. I think the mayor is underpaid for the time that you actually put forth.”

Smith also suggested a change in salary for council members’ from $100 to $150.

“That’s ridiculous,” Madeline Powell, council member, said.

Mayor Danny Sparks told council members $150 a month is not much money.

“I personally don’t do it for the money anyhow,” Kenny Fankel, council member, said. “And I personally think the salaries are fine. That’s my opinion. If you raise the salaries it’s got to come from somewhere in that budget and that’s budget’s tight as all get out. If we had a lot more money it’d be different.”

Tony Williams, council member, said he agreed with Fankell.

“You’ve got the fire department, they come out for nothing and yet they’re fighting and scratching for money just to operate on,” Williams said. “The police department, they’re holding their breath hoping they make budgets.”

Smith responded to Williams’ comment by saying volunteers work at the fire department.

“They don’t have to stay,” Smith said. “They do it because they want to. The police department is paid. They work 24 hours a day, they get paid for 24 hours a day plus overtime. The mayor, he works 24 hours a day, he gets 640 dollars a month, regardless.”

Sparks said everyone who ran for mayor knew to expect more responsibility but he did not realize how much more he would have to do.

He said in the past six years his number of responsibilities has continually increased.

“Not only is it taking care of the utilities and all that, but now you’re on the board of directors for the housing complex, you’re on the board of directors of FIVCO, you’re on the board of directors of the foothills housing, there’s a lot of things that come with this, which entails a lot of time,” Sparks said.

Smith said the mayor makes $6.40 an hour which turns out to be about $6.00 after taxes. He noted that $6.00 is less than minimum wage.

“That doesn’t even include the night time calls and everything else and the expenses you get into with your gas,” Smith said. “You’re not compensated for your car or your mileage when he’s out at night time checking water leaks. I know I’ve seen Danny out there at all hours of the night working and spending his own gas money and stuff. I just don’t feel like 6.40 a month is compensation for us to have a good mayor to do a good job.”

Linda Lowe, council member, said the issue is not about enticing people to run for office.

“I think the big issue around here is not really money, they’re just apathetic,” she said. “They just want somebody else to take care of business and then sit back and complain. So I don’t know what’s going to get people interested in the community.”

Council will discuss the second reading of the proposal at next month’s meeting.

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