Greenwood County Council Approves First Salary Increase in Nearly 20 Years

Greenwood Takes Center Stage: County Council Greenlights Salary Hike After Nearly Two Decades

Good day, Greenwood! As the morning clouds make way for a mostly sunny afternoon with a high of 56°F, we have some noteworthy updates from our local government to share.

If you’re like most people, when it comes to getting a raise, it’s all about having a discussion with your boss. However, for the Greenwood County Council, the process was a bit different! The council members came to an agreement, and with a unanimous 7-0 vote, they have approved an increase in their own salaries for the first time since 2005.

From Planning to Passing

This pay rise decision was made formal on Tuesday. It involves the council members seeing their annual salary improve from $8,000 to $12,000, while the chairperson’s pay will bump from $11,000 to $15,000. These changes are expected to take effect in July 2025.

The decision was backed by men and women such as Theo Lane, Mark Allison, Johanna Bishop, Teresa Griffin, and Dayne Pruitt. Despite the increase, all agreed that their main motivation for serving on the council wasn’t financial.

Even Chuck Moates, the current council chairman, lent his support. It’s noteworthy that since Moates is in his final term, this won’t affect him personally. However, for his successor, Cathy Miller, it will certainly be a welcomed change.

Looking at Fairness and Equity

Moates interestingly pointed out that every three years, the council votes to increase the salaries of county employees, yet the council itself hadn’t seen a similar adjustment for nearly 20 years. According to him, this increase was long overdue, to adequately compensate the council’s dedication to the community.

Despite his previous reservations, Robbie Templeton, another council member, also went on to vote for the hike. At the final reading of the ordinance, Templeton had voiced his preference for incremental raises rather than a larger one-time increase. However, he eventually backed the council’s decision, acknowledging the necessity of a pay raise.

Additional Council Activities

It wasn’t just about salary discussions during this council meeting. Progress is underway to allow residents to live in recreational vehicles temporarily while their homes are being rebuilt due to Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. Planning Director Carol Coleman highlighted that this would only be viable for residents with active home repair permits.

Council members were also updated on various other fronts, such as the ongoing storm debris cleanup, updates to landfill statistics, and amendments to the future land use map. Not to mention, there were discussions about renovations at Park Plaza and the Courthouse.

Join the Conversation

If this news has piqued your interest, remember that the Greenwood County Council’s next meeting will be on December 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Greenwood County Library. It’s a great opportunity for residents to be part of ongoing conversations that impact our community!

With today’s weather set to clear up and a chilly evening ahead, be sure to bundle up as temperatures dip to a brisk 23°F under clear skies. Take care out there, folks!