Austell City Council members agreed Monday to approve pay increases for elected officials.

Beginning Jan. 1, the mayor/city manager will receive $6,000 more to $36,000 annually that will go to Mayor Joe Jerkins if he is re-elected in November.

The six city council members each will receive $2,400 more for $14,400 each year, also starting Jan. 1.

No tax increases are proposed in Austell’s new $7.6 million budget that will become effective July 1.

A total of $204,000 for three-percent salary increases will go to city employees because of a $618,000 revenue hike from increased customer usage of the Austell Gas System.

Health care costs for city employees will increase by $100,000 with open enrollment to begin Jan. 1.

Another $83,000 will be spent on fire equipment and three new police cars.

Also, the city will set aside $225,000 to tear down more of the 25 abandoned houses that were destroyed during the 2009 flood.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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