Creating a retirement plan for city officials was an agenda item at this week’s city council workshop in Guyton.
The agenda item was brought forth by Councilman Michael Johnson. He told his fellow council members he had been looking into creating a plan and he had found ‘several cities’ the same size as Guyton offer retirement for the city officials. He did not name any examples of those cities.
“For a year’s work, you get anywhere from $10 to $25 a month in a retirement plan. It’s basically, almost like an employee’s retirement plan and it’s a little different because we are elected officials. If anybody looked into it, you have to read into it. I think it’s a great idea because we do actually more than just council on the average day,” Johnson said in making his proposal.
After he presented, there was a long period of silence from council members before Councilwoman Hersula Pelote said she also looked at it and said she thought it was ‘a good investment for council.’ She said she did not have any questions.
Mayor Russ Deen did not offer any comments but told everyone they would ‘touch back’ on the agenda item. In the meantime, he suggested asking the interim city manager about any questions because he is currently on a GMA retirement plan from his previous public service.
The inquest into a retirement plan comes on the heels of a budget increase this fiscal year to account for a pay raise for city council members and the mayor, at least of which were in violation of state law prohibiting elected officials from voting to increase their own salaries.
The population in Guyton is approximately 2,125 and a U.S. Census statistical analysis of cities across Georgia placed Guyton as the 278th largest city in the state. The City’s proposed General Fund budget for FY 2022 is a mere $1,728,171.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
*Councilman Marshall Reiser was not present at the workshop.
[…] Guyton Councilman Wants Retirement Plan For City Council Members, Mayor […]