LAUREL HILL — The City Council has unanimously voted in favor of reinstating its pay.
"For me, I would like my pay to come back in," Councilman Johnny James said.
James — who was elected to the council in March — said he had no say in January when council members voted to donate their compensation toward paying off the city’s debt.
Laurel Hill’s mayor monthly earns $200; each council member earns $100.
Initially, Councilman Larry Hendren and council members Clifton Hall and Betty Williamson had declined pay; Willie Mae Toles and then-council member Robby Adams voted against the proposal.
Hendren has since changed his stance.
“Some of the council members may need the money more than others, and that (convinced) me to reconsider my vote,” he said on Monday.
"If any of us wanted to donate the money, it should be on a one-on-one basis," he said. He suggested that those wanting to donate their pay should instruct City Clerk Anita Miller to do so.
Each month, the city pays $2,249.88 toward the estimated $104,000 debt, Miller said.
Editor Thomas Boni contributed to this report.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council votes to reinstate city leaders’ pay