CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – An ordinance to raise the pay of Clarksville City Council members was deferred Thursday after it failed to pass by a vote of 7-6. The increase was proposed by Councilwoman Wanda Smith who said she felt compensation for council members should be at the same level with other cities in the area.
The proposal would have taken effect in January of 2019 with each council member getting $1,000 per month which would go up each year after that by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. The salary of the city Mayor would not have been affected by the proposed ordinance.
Smith talked about the council and and how their efforts help the citizens. “We work hard to make Clarksville a better place to live. We vote to help the citizens. I think it is time we step up to the plate and compensate the council according to their worth,” said Smith.
Councilman Mike Alexander said he was opposed to the proposed pay increase. “I want to see what’s best for the city of Clarksville and whether I get paid or not doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t be about getting paid folks, it should be about whether or not you want to do this job,” Alexander said.
The plan now goes back to the city council finance committee to be looked at further by the city’s finance and human resource departments along with the city attorney’s office.
The council also failed Thursday to pass an ordinance for a limited freeze on hiring new employees. The council voted to postpone the ordinance proposed by Councilman Jeff Burkhart until the council’s next regular meeting. The plan would not have included a freeze on the hiring of department heads or public safety personnel.
Burkhart said he had concerns about financial problems the city could face when it comes time for the new city budget in July. Once again some council members had questions they felt needed to be answered about the proposed ordinance.