Lawmakers approve salary change for Grady commissioners

Published 11:36 am Tuesday, February 21, 2017

CAIRO, Ga. — A bill to amend annual salaries for the Grady County Board of Commissioners has made the rounds in the Georgia General Assembly — salaries that have remained the same for over six decades. 

The House approved adopting HB 282 159-0 on Feb. 10. 

The bill was sent to the state Senate on Feb 14. and was approved 52-0 Feb. 17. 

State Rep. Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasvile) carried the local legislation. 

“This local legislation, like all local legislation I carry for the district, is facilitated at the request of the local government body that wants a change to their charter,” Taylor said. 

Taylor, who also represents Grady and Decatur counties, said for her to carry the bill, the board’s request has to be presented in a public meeting, must be a resolution or other legally written document, pass unanimously, and run in the legal section of the local newspaper. 

The Grady Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the salary amendment resolution at the Dec. 6 regular meeting. 

“I am a Grady County property owner and shop in Grady County and pay taxes,” Taylor added. “It was not an unreasonable request; they met the standard requirements for local legislation therefore, I carried the bill.”  

The amendment to commissioners annual salaries are 12 percent of the current base salary of a Grady County clerk of court for a new commissioner. A certified commissioner will receive 14 percent and the chairman 17 percent.  

Current annual salaries: 

•New commissioner: $1,800 

•Certified commissioner: $3,000 

•Chairman: $5,100 

The Grady Board also requested Senator Dean Burke (R-Bainbridge) to carry the local legislation. Burke sponsored the bill in the Senate.

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.