By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The Pelham City Council established compensation packages for the next mayor and councilmembers at a special called meeting Feb. 22. The updated salaries will go into effect Nov. 1, following the municipal election in August.

According to Alabama state law, the council was required to pass compensation for the new elected officials by Feb. 23, which is six months before the Aug. 23 election.

The new ordinance increases the salaries of the city council president and each of the city councilmembers. Although the mayor will set his own hours, the ordinance reduces the mayor’s salary to be more in line with the salaries of part-time mayors in other cities, according to City Council President Rick Hayes.

An ordinance passed on Feb. 20, 2012, established the mayor’s salary as $75,000 annually. Mayor Gary Waters also receives an additional $25,000 as the superintendent of Pelham Water, and he does not receive a vehicle allowance.

As of Nov. 1, the next mayor’s compensation will be $45,000 annually. A monthly allowance of $500 will also be given to cover vehicle and fuel expenses in lieu of a city vehicle and mileage reimbursements.

The current salary for the city council president is $420 per each regularly scheduled meeting for a total of $10,080 annually. The new ordinance establishes a fixed salary of $10,800 annually for the position.

Each councilmember is currently compensated the sum of $367.50 per each regularly scheduled meeting for a total of $8,820 annually. The new ordinance establishes each councilmember’s salary to fixed rate of $9,600 annually.

City Councilmember Ron Scott proposed an amendment to the ordinance during the meeting, asking for the compensation for city councilmembers remain the same.

“I feel strongly that what we are receiving now is adequate,” Scott said. “It’s something I’ve dwelled on and I have my own reasons for feeling that way.”

Councilmember Beth McMillan noted that it had been eight years since the compensation had been increased for the city council. There was no second on the motion, so Scott’s proposed amendment to the ordinance did not pass.

In addition to the salary provided to each of the elected officials, the mayor, city council president and councilmembers will also be entitled to benefits normally accruing to regular employees.

All the annual salaries established will be paid out of the Pelham’s general fund on a monthly basis and will go into effect Nov. 1.