CALEDONIA — Caledonia aldermen voted 4-1 Tuesday against giving 3 percent raises to all 11 town employees.
Alderman Quinn Parham made the motion to approve the raises and was the only “yes” vote.
The increase in salaries, which would not have affected aldermen”s $400 monthly stipend, would have cost the town more than $3,600 annually, according to town records.
Aldermen discussed the raises and another personnel matter involving retirement insurance in closed session at their regular meeting Tuesday.
Mayor George Gerhart said the economy, among other things, played a role in their decision.
Aldermen approved a budget with a surplus of $72,264 last month and reduced the town millage rate from 7.4 mills to 7 mills, which cost about $8,100 in annual property tax revenue.
Of town employees, Water Superintendent Benny Coleman is the highest paid, receiving $49,950 annually, not counting benefits and insurance. With the raise, he would have received another $1,498.50, pushing his annual salary up to $51,448.50.
Next highest paid is Randall Flippo, who made $49,215.24 in salary and overtime compensation in 2009 working as an operator for the city water department. Caledonia Marshall Ben Kilgore would have been paid a salary of $2,575 each month, or $30,900 annually, with the proposed raises. He currently makes $2,500 per month.
In other business, aldermen declined to reimburse the mayor for travel to a Mississippi Municipal League meeting, reinforcing a decision earlier this year to limit travel funding.
Gerhart and Alderman Mike Savage exchanged heated words in the discussion about the reimbursement, with Gerhart asking Savage if he wanted the number of the state auditor.
Aldermen voted 4-1, with Parham the only ”no” vote, to approve all bills except the reimbursement for the mayor”s mileage.
The board also agreed that the mayor should write a letter to Lowndes County supervisors asking if the town could give funds so the Caledonia library can return to its regular business hours.
The library”s hours of operation, which were cut recently to save money, are now Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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