North Carolina (ECWd)
Elizebeth City, North Carolina declared a Local State of Emergency Declaration March 16, 2020. A press release issued reflects they will have their next regularly scheduled meeting, March 23, 2020.
Never let a crisis go to waste.
The city council voted 4:2 for a $500 a month pay raise for the Mayor and City Council to be included in the next budget proposal. It appears from the video the social distancing is being exercised and there are few in attendance at the meeting. What better time to take steps to get a $6,000.00 a year pay increase put into the budget.
According to the North Carolina Meetings of Public Bodies, they have requirements that action taken must be on the agenda to inform the public.
Chapter 143 (c) Acting by Reference. – The members of a public body shall not deliberate, vote, or otherwise take action upon any matter by reference to a letter, number or other designation, or other secret device or method, with the intention of making it impossible for persons attending a meeting of the public body to understand what is being deliberated, voted, or acted upon. However, this subsection does not prohibit a public body from deliberating, voting, or otherwise taking action by reference to an agenda, if copies of the agenda, sufficiently worded to enable the public to understand what is being deliberated, voted, or acted upon, are available for public inspection at the meeting. (1979, c. 655, s. 1.)
A review of the agenda for the meeting in question reflects nothing pertaining to voting on a pay raise being placed on the budget.
While many public bodies are declaring a state of emergency, it is becoming ever so clear that during such time We The People must be diligent in attending meetings and holding their elected officials accountable to the law.
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3 Comments
Joliet Jake
Posted at 15:42h, 26 MarchWow keep it up Tar Heels!!!! Pretty soon you’ll be in elite company of Joliet Township Government
These leaches get $500 a meeting… twice a month!!! That’s right $1000 a month!!!! Abuse of taxpayer funds to listen to the clerk ramble on about nothing – just keep the minutes and her mouth shut
Paul K.
Posted at 18:17h, 26 MarchSloganing “Harbor of Hospitality” has a zero fit with that motion’s second and the call for a show of hands.
John Rossow
Posted at 14:46h, 27 MarchThe $6,000 a year amount is somewhat misleading. There is one mayor and nine council members. They already receive about $8,000 a year plus perks. Doing the math: 1+9=10; 10×500=5,000; $5,000×12=$60,000 added to city’s annual budget. It is a 73% pay raise. Please show the citizens of Elizabeth City the objective list of accomplishments, to include fiscal management, that would justify a $500 (73%) increase in monthly pay.