FAYETTEVILLE — The city’s three elected officials who earn more than $80,000 annually could get salary increases next year for the first time since 2009.
Aldermen in January of that year voted to freeze wages for Mayor Lioneld Jordan, City Attorney Kit Williams and District Judge Rudy Moore — the city’s highest paid elected officials. Their decision came amid spiraling sales tax revenue.
After 21 straight months of sales tax decline, tax proceeds grew in 23 of 26 months, from August 2010 through September 2012.
The financial turnaround has made Jordan more comfortable with giving employees raises. His 2013 budget calls for 2 percent average pay increases for full-time and hourly employees. The mayor promised to consider an additional 2 percent increase once the books are closed on 2012.
Several City Council members said Thursday they support rescinding the 2009 ordinance and giving Jordan, Williams and Moore raises.
“I feel like we should be consistent across the board,” said Justin Tennant, Ward 3 alderman. “We were consistent in the past with freezing salaries. We’re all in it together, and that includes (Williams) and the mayor and everyone else.”
By The Numbers
Pay Raises
If City Council members decide Tuesday to give raises to elected officials earning more than $80,000 annually, Mayor Lioneld Jordan would be eligible for a 4.05 percent pay increase. City Attorney Kit Williams and District Judge Rudy Moore would each receive a 3.76 percent pay increase.
2012 2013
Lioneld Jordan $107,039 $111,369
Rudy Moore $114,462 $118,766
Kit Williams $103,861 $107,765
Source: City of Fayetteville
According to Kevin Springer, budget director, Jordan would be eligible for a 4.05 percent increase. The mayor’s salary, by city code, is supposed to be 5 percent more than the fire chief, police chief and any department heads who report to him.
Salary increases for the city attorney, district judge and city clerk are equivalent to the average percentage increase for all other full-time, non-civil service employees in the prior year. For Williams, Moore and City Clerk Sondra Smith, that works out to a 3.76 percent increase next year.
Smith will earn $65,125 in 2013, according to Springer. She was eligible for a raise last year, but didn’t accept it.
Paul Becker, city finance director, said City Council members — the city’s only other elected officials — have been paid $8,400 per year since 1999.
Jordan said Thursday he won’t accept a raise even if aldermen make it available to him.
“I have no issue with (Williams) and Judge Moore taking a raise,” Jordan said. “If they want to take one, they should be able to.”