Decatur’s commission is one step removed from getting its first compensation raise in 23 years. The mayor’s annual salary would jump from $6,000 to $15,000 while the remaining commissioners go from $4,800 to $12,000 annually.
Commissioners will vote after hearing a final reading of the new ordinance during the Aug. 7 meeting.
The commission’s last raise took effect Jan. 1, 1994. Although the city’s population has increased by nearly 30 percent since, Decatur now ranks sixth among DeKalb County’s 12 cities, including the newly-formed Stonecrest (but not counting Atlanta). Mayoral compensation currently ranks 10th and commissioner compensation sixth (Stonecrest compensation isn’t listed).
“A lot has changed since I first got on the commission [in Jan. 2010],” said Mayor Patti Garrett. “There are more meetings, more public events and more time spent preparing for those. Plus, we stay in touch with more people and are expected to respond faster.”
If approved, the raise takes effect Jan 1, 2018.
Last July, Avondale Estates’ commission also approved a stipend, to take effect the same day. Avondale’s mayor will now make $7,200 annually and commissioners $4,800, possibly making it the last all-volunteer city commission in Georgia.
Avondale’s population is 3,139, Decatur 21,957.
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