ACKERMAN, Miss. (WTVA) --The town of Ackerman's mayor agreed to take a substantial pay cut, after city leaders said the mayor's salary is much more than other mayors with the same size population.
While Mayor Dick Cain said he has veto power, he said he will not fight the decision.
Ackerman has a population of about 1515 people.
It has about 15 full time city employees, and a few part timers.
Most recently the Mayor's salary came into question. The current part time mayor makes $48,000. After reviewing the salaries of other mayors with populations similar in size, alderman said the mayor makes too much money.
"There's no reason that the mayor's salary here in Ackerman should be that much more than other towns of comparable size in this part of the state," said Jason Jenkins, business owner.
Jenkins was born and raised in the city and is now a business owner. He says the mayor's salary came as a surprise.
"I don't think it's that much more difficult of a job to do here than it is for any other comparable size cities," Jenkins said.
By the numbers, other part time mayors with similar populations make anywhere from $6,000 a year to a little over $18,000 annually. In a 4 to 1 vote, alderman voted to cut the mayors pay by $18,000.
We talked to the mayor and a few of the alderman by phone, but none of them would talk on on camera.
The mayor did say he agreed with the decision and would not fight it.
City leaders also voted to increase city workers salaries. The increase equals just about the same amount of money cut from the mayor.
While there may be speculation about the cut, the mayor said the increase and decrease in salaries were purely coincidental.
As far as the pay cut, it goes into affect the next term.
