Gwinnett County commissioners gave themselves a 51 percent raise Tuesday over the objections of some exasperated residents.
By a 4-1 vote, the board boosted the pay of the four district commissioners from $29,800 to $45,000 annually. It’s their first pay hike in seven years. Chairman Charlotte Nash’s pay will remain unchanged at $58,342.
Commissioners say the higher salary will bring their pay in line with that of their counterparts in Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties. Though technically part-time, they say district commissioners work long hours serving the public – time that limits their ability to earn money in the private sector.
“It’s kind of a seven-day a week job,” said Commissioner Lynette Howard.
Commissioner John Heard voted against the salary increase because he thinks Nash also deserves a raise. But the raise didn't sit well with some county residents. Francine Locke of Lilburn called it "a slap to their constituents and an incredible insult to the community at large."
“Perhaps salaries should instead be based on citizen satisfaction, and commissioners should have to meet or exceed performance review expectations, as in the workforce,” Locke said.
By state law, Gwinnett commissioners are responsible for setting their own pay. That makes any such vote politically difficult. The last time they gave themselves a raise was 2007, and it took effect in 2009. Before that, commissioners hadn’t had a raise since 1989.
The latest raise won’t take effect until next January – after this year’s elections. Three of the five commissioners are up for election.
With the new $45,000 salary, Gwinnett commissioners will make a little more than their counterparts in nearby counties. Fulton County commissioners earn $41,248 to $44,342, depending on how long they’ve served. Cobb commissioners earn $43,860 to $44,095, while DeKalb commissioners make $38,374 to $42,757.
The commissioners' pay hike will cost Gwinnett about $85,000 in 2017, including the cost of benefits tied to salary. By contrast, this year's budget includes $8 million for 4 percent performance-based raises for other employees, as well as $3 million to restore longevity pay for employees. The county gave also employees a 3 percent raise in 2014 and a 4 percent raise last year.
Heard, who voted against the pay hike, said he doesn’t oppose the raise, but believes Nash also should have gotten one.
Nash, the county's longtime finance director and retired county manager, has sworn not to accept a raise in office because she also receives a county pension.
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