by AnnGardner Eubank
KILMARNOCK— Tensions were high in the first several minutes of the Kilmarnock Town Council’s Monday, June 20, meeting as members grappled over an agenda item—a proposed pay increase for elected officials of the town.
Last month, council had a first reading and brief discussion of proposed pay increases for members, planning commission members and the mayor. The proposed increases, according to the resolution, included a $100 hike in council pay to $200 per month; a $200 hike for the mayor to $400 per month; and $100 for commission members per meeting attended.
Last month, council members Les Spivey and Rebecca Nunn, along with Mayor Mae Umphlett, made it clear they were not in support of the pay raise.
This month, councilman Curtis Smith moved to accept the agenda with the removal of the second reading of the resolution regarding compensation. Councilman Emerson Gravatt seconded the motion. Nunn said she was “flabbergasted because Curtis Smith has been promoting this….
