TRANSPARENCY

The decision to broadcast meetings of the city commission and the action taken by the city commission to increase the salaries of the mayor and commissioners have been unpopular with many citizens. The majority of the commission, concurring that the public should have greater access to the workings of city government, made the decision to broadcast commission work sessions and regular meetings on the city’s public access channel, the city’s website, and on social media. 193 The meetings continue to be aired on Channel 16, though the use of Facebook was discontinued in 2021 due to inaccurate, negative and occasional vulgar comments posted on that platform. 194

A study confirmed elected officials in most of Georgia’s cities, comparable in size to Albany, were paid more than the city’s mayor and commissioners. The commission expressed support for a pay raise and a proposal to allow elected officials to participate in the city’s 401(a) plan. 195

The commission subsequently voted to increase the mayor’s salary from $25,000 to $35,000, and the salary paid to commissioners from $15,000 to $22,800. The amount of these raises is consistent with those approved in 2007. 196 The salary increases “will not take effect until January 2024, following the next round of municipal elections, which will be held in November 2023”. 197