County commissioners asked to cut their pay

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Commissioner Ronald Gore wants the Columbus County Board of Commissioners to cut their pay by 10 percent but some board members aren’t buying it.

Facing one of the highest proposed tax increases in recent history of 12 cents per $100 value, a few commissioners are saying it is time to begin cutting budgets back. Gore thinks the commissioners budget is where the board should start.

“We need to make some strategic cuts,” Gore said. “This county cannot afford a 12-cent tax increase.

“We need to look at this stuff very closely, get it on the agenda and discuss cutting commissioners’ salaries by 10 percent.”

“When I first came on the board I took a pay cut,” Commissioner Bill Memory said. “Let’s ask the school board to do the same – if we are going to cut our salaries.” Memory pointed out when he was on the school board he took no salary. He said a 10 percent cut would only save a total of $9,100.

“I hope you’ve got something better than that,” Commissioner Amon McKenzie said to Gore. “How much do we need?”

“We set by example,” Commissioner James Prevatte said.

“This needs to be left to a budget workshop,” Chairman Sammie Jacobs said.

“I asked for it to be put on the agenda,” Gore said.

At more than $13,000 a year per member, the Columbus County Board of Commissioners is one of the highest paid in the state.