By Barbara Augsdorfer, Effingham Herald Editor
(In a previous article, the Herald incorrectly identified City Councilman Joseph Lee as a mayoral candidate. Michael Johnson is Guyton’s mayoral candidate, and the Herald regrets this mistake.)
Both items, which will be on the agenda for Guyton City Council’s Oct. 21 special meeting, have sparked heated debate among at least two council members, with both items expected to result in 3-2 votes. Ta.
Mayor Andy Harville chaired the meeting and called for motions and votes, but both issues remained stubbornly deadlocked by a 3-2 vote. Councilman Theodore Hamby voted in favor of Councilman Joseph Lee and Councilman Michael Johnson, while Councilman Jeremiah Chancey was in the minority and voted in favor of Mayor Harville.
The council also addressed the Guyton employee’s “disciplinary appeals” process and the elected official’s pending retirement plan.
The appeal process will be left to the City Attorney, who will reconstitute it and present it to the City Council at its next meeting.
Retirement plans were passed on in succession from Mr. Lee and Mr. Johnson to Mr. Harville and Mr. Chancey. Mr. Hamby did not provide any verbal feedback, but when votes were called, he joined Mr. Lee and Mr. Johnson in voting.
Mayor Andy Harville and Chancey reiterated their opposition to the proposal.
“One of the main problems I feel with this system is that we haven’t had a discussion about exactly what the retirement plan should be. There is no,” Chancey said. “And in speaking with the GMA (Georgia Municipal Association) about this, they expressed concern that council members are retiring and their retirement income could be more than the council member’s salary. did.”
Mr. Chancey introduced a motion on the floor to amend the proposed severance package for city council members, noting that hired city employees receive only 1.5% of their annual salary by the time they retire.
“I have amended the formula in Section 4 of the 2024 Ordinance for Elected or Appointed Members of Governing Authorities, Dash 0-8 Section 4, to provide severance pay equal to 1.5% of City Council member salary multiplied by years of certified service. I file a motion to change it,” Mr. Chancey demurred.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Harville, and failed 3-2, with Lee, Johnson and Hamby voting “no.”
Mayor Harville said he was seeking public comment, but backed off, saying this was a second review and consideration for approval. The first reading was held earlier this month at the October 8th meeting. And at a previous meeting, a vote was passed approving the expenditure of $1,200 for a feasibility study. And I’ll vote again for GMA’s opinion.
No public comment was requested, but former Mayor Jeffrey Larisse received permission from Mayor Harville to speak from the audience.
Larissey said a comparison of cities similar in size to Guyton on GMA’s website found that “less than a third” offer some kind of retirement benefits to election workers.
“About 30 percent,” Larissey said. “The average compensation amount is $15.25 when the ordinance requires $50.”
He then reminded the council that they should be civil servants.
“I think there’s too much of everything,” Larisse continued. “You don’t go into public service for your own benefit. If you’re in it for the money, you’re in it for the wrong reasons.”
Mr. Larisse then rebutted Mr. Hamby: And we’re sitting here tonight, he’s going to vote for it. ”
Humvee remained silent and did not respond to Larisse.
Chancey jumped in again, saying, “I’m really curious as to why you don’t agree that a $50/month service is too expensive.”
He also reiterated that a hired employee would have to work for 63 years to receive the same amount of retirement benefits that a lawmaker receives after just six years of service.
After the recent storm, there was some verbal sparring between Chanceu and Johnson regarding “driving around Guyton” and “moving limbs and debris.”
“How many jobs did you request?” Johnson asked Chancey.
“I did that (limb removal) many times during the storm,” Chancey said. “But I didn’t ask for compensation because it’s part of my job. That’s what I signed up for.”
The verbal sparring continued for several minutes, after which Chancey asked Johnson: “How will this (retirement plan) improve the city of Guyton?”
“Right now, you’re entitled to $750 a month in retirement,” Chancey accused Johnson. “How is that going to improve the city of Guyton? How are we going to pay for it?”
“Taxpayers are going to pay for it,” Johnson said.
Chansoo then introduced a motion to limit retirement benefits to 50% of a member’s salary.
The vote failed 2-3, with Hamby, Lee, and Johnson voting “no” and Chansoo and Harville voting yes.
Johnson then made a motion to accept his severance package from GMA. The motion passed 3-2 with Mr Lee supporting it, with Mr Hamby also voting “yes” to Mr Johnson and Mr Lee.
The retirement allowance system for members of Congress will go into effect from November 12th.
