BPW board gives itself big pay hike

If you thought the Board of Public Works commissioners were generous by approving a 5 percent across-theboard pay increase for their employees as part of the utility’s new budget, it’s nothing compared to the pay raise they voted themselves on Tuesday.

The commissioners voted to raise their monthly salaries from $550 to $750, an increase of about 40 percent.

The commissioners also approved a boost in the monthly pay for the chairman from $630 to $800. The treasurer will now make $775 month, under the new wage scale. Previously, the treasurer earned the same pay as the other commissioners.

Commissioner Brenda Earls was the lone commissioner to oppose the increases.

Commissioner Joe Dean Knuckles proposed the wage hike.

The pay raises won’t take effect until September since state law prevents commissioners from increasing their salaries during an election year. The municipal elections are slated for August. Earls’ seat is the only one on the ballot this year.