DECATUR — City council members voted to update an ordinance defining the mayor’s and city recorder’s salary at Monday night’s meeting.

For several years Mayor Bill Montgomery has received cost-of living raises along with other city employees. Council members voted to update the ordinance that outlines the mayor and city recorder’s salary to reflect the raises.

The former ordinance stated the mayor would receive $10,900 per year and the city recorder would receive $3,000 per year. The new ordinance will set the mayor’s salary at $11,247.60 and the city recorder’s salary at $3,000.

The city recorder’s salary was updated to reflect cost-of-living raises before Leslie Haag was appointed several years ago.

Council members decided to table the issue of whether or not to give the mayor and city recorder further cost-of-living raises in 2011. City employees received a 5 percent cost-of-living raise starting in January 2010.

In other business, city council members approved a budget for the Benton County West Municipal Court. The budget was approved without any changes.

In December, Montgomery, alderman Linda Martin and city administrative assistant Kim Wilkins met with the Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue and Judge Jeff Conner to discuss several issues, Montgomery reported.

Costs for the Benton County West Municipal Court are paid by the cities of Decatur, Gentry and by Benton County. Decatur’s share of the court costs - which include the judge’s salary, the court clerk’s salary and other overhead expenses like utilities - is $32,750, Montgomery said.

Questions were raised because, even though Gravette and Sulphur Springs are not part of the Benton County West Municipal Court, their cases are heard in the Gentry Courtroom. The cities of Gravette and Sulphur Springs pay the judge and court employees as contract laborers, in addition to their salary from the Benton County West Court, city attorney Tom Smith said.

Alderman Linda Martin said Gravette was asked to join the Benton County West District Court but decided not to because of the expense.

“Now they’re coming through the back door and using it anyway,” she said.

Martin pointed out that Decatur, Gentry and Benton County also pay for the employees, health insurance and training fees which benefit Gravette and Sulphur Springs.

Some of the court’s expenses are divided down to pens and paper clips, Montgomery said. It is also more convenient for the judge to see all his cases in Gentry, he pointed out.

“There are some give and takes, but I feel they need to pay something,” he said.

Even without Gravette and Sulphur Springs sharing in the expenses, Decatur is still getting a good deal, according to Montgomery.

“Where else can you get a judges salary, court recorder, courtroom and all that for $32,750?” Montgomery asked.

News, Pages 1 on 01/20/2010