By Kirk Luther – Publisher
Irmo Town Council discussed a salary increase for the council and the mayor at a workshop held on Tuesday, April 1 at the municipal building in Irmo.
The proposal is inline with other municipalities of the same size and even less than the town of Irmo. “Our compensation for town council is way below the average,” said Town Administrator Courtney Dennis. “It’s nearly 56% less of where it should be and it’s time for them to consider a raise.”
According to a recent study by an independent agency the pay schedule for the town was below the standards in most departments. Since then, officials have adjusted other incomes but not their own. The current compensation for a council member is $7,200 a year while the mayor receives $9,600. The proposed schedule would give a council member a $10,000 base with incentives to reach $13,000 per year. The mayor’s base would start at $13,000 and with incentives could reach $16,000 per year.
“We don’t do this for the money,” said Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson. “It’s been thirteen years since this was even considered and council voted on a raise.”
The incentives for a council member to receive a higher compensation would come by completing a MEO or municipal elected official training program which include in-person or online training for elected officials. Upon graduation a council member would then be considered for more compensation. The other incentive is the advanced municipal elected official program which is much more in-depth training. Council members would have to graduate these courses to even be considered for more pay.
“The training is intense but gives our officials the knowledge about town budgets, FOIA, municipal finance, economic development and so on,” said Dennis. “I think it’s a must for anyone trying to do the right thing for a municipality.” First reading on a salary raise will be at the council meeting on Tuesday, April 15.
Other discussions included the 2025-26 annual budget. Once again Irmo will not impose a millage on it’s residents and rely mainly on business license applications as its main revenue. “Irmo is business-centric,” said Mayor Danielson. “That being said we have to continue to grow to support the town.”
The town’s dependency on license revenue is nearly 75%. Annexing businesses into the town brings more revenue than do neighborhoods. “The costs are much more for neighborhoods,” said Dennis. “We provide services such as police and sanitation which drives costs up.” Each year the budget expands and Councilwoman Phyllis Coleman expressed her concerns as to when a tax may be imposed. “Being business-centric at what point must we consider taxation,” said Coleman. The mayor responded that when the economy flatlines for revenues then it may be time to revisit the notion.
Councilman Gabriel Penfield explained to council that citizens had approached him about a piece of art call ‘Busted Plug’ that has been in the news lately. The five ton Blue Sky creation was a landmark on Taylor Street in downtown Columbia for many years until it was dismantled and carted away. The nearly 50 foot sculpture now rests in a field outside of town.
“There is some interest out there to bring it to Irmo,” said Penfield. The town had discussed the idea years ago when it was first known that the structure was going to be moved but cost of transportation, location and repairs prohibited any serious discussions. “The cost would be astronomical,” said Mayor Danielson. “We have no business even considering it.”
The town also discussed moving council meetings from 7pm to 6pm. A first reading will be held on that ordinance April 15.
