by AnnGardner Eubank
KILMARNOCK—Town manager Susan Cockrell has been awarded a 26% pay raise. The Kilmarnock Town Council on Monday, November 21, increased her salary to $120,000, effective November 22.
During his administration/finance committee report, Emerson Gravatt moved for council to authorize the raise. Gravatt said Cockrell had been working with the town for many years and that she’d been instrumental in working with the government and securing grants to launch the town’s current sewer project.
Gravatt also noted Cockrell has long been underpaid in comparison to nearby localities with similar populations.
Cockrell, present via conference call, told council it has been an honor serving Kilmarnock and that she loves her job.
Councilman Les Spivey seconded the motion. With Rebecca Nunn and Curtis Smith also voting in favor, the motion passed, 4-0. Council members Mike Bedell and Kylie Abbott were absent.
Bedell later indicated he was not present for the vote because just 25 minutes prior to the meeting, council members received a text message that an individual who had been in the building all of that day had tested positive for COVID-19.
Abbott was absent due to the same reason, stating she was not in a position to risk exposure….
