Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Is it worth being a county commissioner?
Posted: 08.16.2012 at 5:05 PM
Updated: 08.17.2012 at 1:55 AM
0
Dougherty County Commissioners salary might surprise you.  / Sean Streicher
Photo

ALBANY, GA --

Maintaining roads, setting budgets, and collecting taxes, these are just a few things a Dougherty County commissioner is responsible for overseeing.

For their time, each of the six commissioners receive a 
 base salary is $800 a month, the chairman, who is the seventh commissioner at large, collects $900 a month.

In addition to the base salary state law requires them to receive additional benefits for longevity and certifications, which makes the average salary just under $11,000 a year.

County commissioners are elected officials. We spoke with some residents of Dougherty County, to see if they feel the people they put in office are being fairly compensated.

While some of the people we spoke with felt they are paid the correct amount others felt they are being over paid.

However, the majority of the people we spoke with agreed with,
 Constance Green, who said, "I think (with) the amount of work that they do ... and the decision they have to make for the families here, I really think that we should come together and give more support to them."

The commissioners actually decide their own salary, but they haven't given themselves a pay raise in years.

If commissioners decide to raise their pay, state law does not permit the new salary to go into effect until the following year, which give the public ample time to vote someone else into office, if they don’t feel the commissioner deserves the increase in pay.

Related Links

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
7-year-old slays 1,000-pound creature
Kerri Copello  |  Sunday, May 19, 2013  |  23 comments
Thumbnail
MCLB cancels Independence Day celebration
FOX 31 News Team  |  Yesterday at 3:48 PM  |  5 comments
Thumbnail
Commissioners vote against sports program funding
Jessica Fairley  |  Yesterday at 11:34 AM
Follow My Southwest GA
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Bright Side
Spreading the good news around Southwest Georgia!
Legal
Finding the right lawyer to handle your needs is important.
Win a booster seat!
Click above for your chance to win a booster seat and get safety tips for your child!
ADVERTISEMENT