Hubbard Council demands review of 2 pay raises

HUBBARD — City council is demanding a review of two pay raises issued by Mayor Arthur Magee in early 2007.

The mayor’s secretary and the superintendent of streets both received 3.5 percent raises in January 2007. But Councilman William Williams said he didn’t learn about the increase until early this year.

“Raises were granted, and council knew nothing about them,” Williams said today. “That’s not proper.”

Council members met in a work session Wednesday, where indignation about the issue was widespread, according to Councilman Patton Gilliland. Gilliland said he did not discover the expenditure until reviewing the city’s financial records this January.

“Council is much shook up,” he said. “We want every penny paid back.”

The raises boosted mayor’s secretary, Lorrie Brown’s salary from $26,500 to $27,427.50. Street Superintendent Paul Collins’ annual pay jumped from $42,160 to $43,635.60, according to Magee.

Magee said his decision to issue the increase constitutes an administrative function. The raises were granted only after a large group of union employees received identical pay hikes, he said.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.