By Lee Weyhrich
PINSON — The Pinson City Council voted last week to increase the salary of city employees.
The council voted last Thursday night to increase the salary of administrative assistants 50 cents per hour, zoning employees by $1 per hour, and the city clerk and treasurer will each receive a $2 per hour raise.
A new salaried position created last Thursday could cost the city between $41,000 and $63,000. The council created the position of Park Director and will begin interviewing candidates for the position. The salary should run $20 to $30 per hour based on experience.
Pinson City Hall
file photo by Gary Lloyd
The park director must have a degree in parks and recreation, physical education, park management or a related field. A minimum of 10 years experience in park management is also required. Experience and education may be combined to meet the requirements.
It was announced that work has already begun at the new city park. Plans are under way to have a ceremonial groundbreaking on Sunday, Nov. 30.
In other Pinson news, the council voted to release the annual 2014-2015 education funds to the schools. Each school typically receives $12,500. Kermit Johnson Elementary received its allotment earlier in the year to pay for the paving of a new bus lane.
Rudd Middle School Athletic Director Shelly Dawkins beseeched the council for $2,800 to refinish the gym floor at the middle school. The floor will need to be refinished and covered with two layers of shellac. The athletic department has already taken money out of its existing funds, but was hoping the council could help replace that money. Mayor Hoyt Sanders wishes to contact the Jefferson County Board of Education to see if it has spare funds to help pay for the work. If so, the council may choose to supplement the difference at the next council meeting.
“Realizing what the budget constraints are, and how hard it is to raise the money that you have in those accounts, I completely understand why they do not want to foot the bill in the way it seems like they are going to have to,” Councilman Joe Cochran said.
Councilwoman Dawn Tanner also received big news last Thursday. She has been nominated as Mayor Pro Tem, replacing Councilman John Churchwell. Tanner is the first woman to hold the title since Pinson was incorporated in 2004. Tanner will hold the position for two years.
