Warner Robins council questions pay raise policy | Politics | Macon.com

WARNER ROBINS — Pay raises should require City Council approval, some council members said after learning of at least 10 raises the mayor gave over the past year without their knowledge.

“I don’t think any single politician, or person, should have the ability to give raises,” said Councilman Mike Daley.

Under a policy that allows the mayor to give individuals up to 10 percent raises without council approval, Mayor Chuck Shaheen upped the pay for 12 employees. Council members Daley, Mike Brashear, Daron Lee, Carolyn Robbins and Paul Shealy said they knew about a couple of the raises but not all, and they are going to press forward with changing the policy. Councilman Mike Davis declined comment.

“Then, you don’t need a strong mayor,” Shaheen said when told of the idea of getting council approval. “The mayor is the CEO of the city.”

Council members agreed Shaheen acted within his power to give raises but questioned the procedure that allows him to do so. They also questioned what those raises have done for a recent salary study and why certain employees were chosen over others.

via Warner Robins council questions pay raise policy | Politics | Macon.com.