Board to Review Rules For Setting Its Salaries and Benefits, Decision-Making Powers

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners took no action on a request to change the county's governing powers on Tuesday, deciding to review proposed changes that would give the board chair voting authority and allow officials to establish local rules for salaries and benefits.

Commissioner John Daniell, who proposed the changes, wants the county to enact a single piece of enabling legislation, making it easier for officials and citizens to understand the rights of elected officials and how their government is structured.

The enabling legislation for Oconee County was passed in 1917 and has been amended a handful of times since then. The biggest changes to the legislation involved salaries and benefits for the chairman and commission members, according to County Attorney Daniel Haygood.

In 1994, a modification to the legislation set compensation for the salary of the chairman of the BOC at two-thirds of the highest base salary paid by the county to the sheriff, probate judge, tax commissioner or clerk of the Superior Court, according to an Oconee County Observations report.

The salaries of the other four board members were set at 20 percent of the four constitutional officers' highest salary, which is set by the state, plus an additional 5 percent added for each 4-year term served, according to the article.

At the meeting, Daniell said pay increases come outside of public view and that the board's four commissioners, who work part-time, should not receive benefits.

“Our pay should be set by us in an open vote,” Daniell said.

The board chair also needs to have the opportunity to weigh in on board decisions, he said.

“It's not fair that he can't raise his hand, share his opinion and take action on actions that we have before the board,” Daniell said.

Commissioners Jim Luke, Chuck Horton and Margaret Hale said they were in favor of changing the legislation, but asked that the board's attorney examine current salaries and benefits as well as current legislation for the board to review at a Dec. 20 meeting.

“There's more than just benefits,” Commissioner Margaret Hale said. “I don't want to rush this, but I think the place for me right now would be for Daniel (Haygood) to summarize what we have across the board.”

What do you think about Commissioner Daniell's proposal?

In other business the board discussed:

• Allocating $111,000 to continue farmland protection/conservation efforts.
• A county ordinance for body tatoo and piercing that was adopted by the Oconee County Health Department.
• A recomendation for tobacco free parks.
• A five-year contract for solid waste disposal.
• Efficiency improvements not to exceed $376,104 to the Calls Creek Wastewater Treatment Plan.