Close Menu
Douglas NowDouglas Now
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • At Home with Pam
  • Contact
What's Hot

Patriots score all of their points in first half, shut out Cougars 34-0 at home

September 5, 2025

CRMC recognizes Dieasha Mobley, EMT, as BEE Award winner for second quarter

September 5, 2025

City: Make sure you have a permit before making repairs or renovations

September 5, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok
Trending
  • Patriots score all of their points in first half, shut out Cougars 34-0 at home
  • CRMC recognizes Dieasha Mobley, EMT, as BEE Award winner for second quarter
  • City: Make sure you have a permit before making repairs or renovations
  • Lady Trojans cap a three-win week with 7-2 victory over Pierce County Bears
  • Deputies seize AK-47 style rifle during alleged domestic dispute
Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok Pinterest
Douglas NowDouglas Now
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • At Home with Pam
  • Contact
Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
Douglas NowDouglas Now
Home»News»City commission approves qualifying fee for June 20 election after 2014 salary increase
News

City commission approves qualifying fee for June 20 election after 2014 salary increase

Bradley BennettBy Bradley BennettApril 13, 20173 Views
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
Bradley Bennett/DouglasNow.com
State Representative Dominic LaRiccia stands with members of the late Johnnie Lee Roper's family at Monday night's commission meeting. Commissioner Roper recently passed away following an extended illness.
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link

There has been some confusion regarding an increase in pay for the City of Douglas Mayor and Commission, as reported by DouglasNow.com yesterday.

The agenda of the commission for the work session of April 10, 2017 was provided to the media and clearly indicated that it was on January 28, 2014 that the commission approved to go forth in seeking local legislation to increase the salaries of the mayor and commission. The increase in pay for the City of Douglas Mayor and Commissioners has been ‘in the works’ for quite some time.

It was in the regular meeting of the Douglas City Commission on January 28, 2014 that the commission voted to approve a resolution to seek local legislation to increase pay for the mayor and the commissioners in the next election cycle. The motion for the resolution was made by Commissioner Olivia Pearson and seconded by Commissioner Richard Hutchinson.

Mayor James Dennis and Commissioners Pearson, Hutchinson, and Marty Swain voted to approve the resolution while Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Josey and Commissioners Ronnie Anderson and Bob Moore voted against.

The commission’s approval of the resolution required that the local legislative delegation, made up of State Representative Dominic LaRiccia and State Senator Tyler Harper, present a local bill to the Georgia General Assembly. The local bill increasing the pay was enacted into law and took effect after the election of the current board. The mayor’s salary was increased from $4,800 per year to $9,600. The commissioners’ salaries were raised from $3,600 to $7,200.

State law requires that qualifying fees for candidates for elective office be three percent of the official salary. It was this increase in qualifying fees, from $144 to $288 for the office of mayor, and from $108 to $216 for commissioners, that the commission approved in the regular meeting on April 10, 2017.

We apologize for any confusion our earlier story may have caused.

Also during the work session the Commission sought approval to conduct a special election to be held at Central Square Gym on June 20, 2017. The election will be held due to the passing of Ward 1 Commissioner Johnnie Lee Roper. The City Clerk will qualify candidates, and qualifying fees will be payable to the City of Douglas. Any questions about the upcoming special election should be directed to the Coffee County Board of Elections and Registration at (912) 384-7018.

Immediately prior to adjourning the regular meeting, the Mayor and Commissioners made their customary final comments. The Commissioners as well as Mayor Paulk took this opportunity, with late Commissioner Roper’s family in attendance, to honor Commissioner Roper’s memory. Commissioner Olivia Pearson made the most emotional statement. Holding her passions in check she first gave a very heartfelt thank you to Commissioner Roper’s family. Her composure was most strained, however, when she thanked the community for standing by her in her recent struggles. Her voice cracking with emotion she closed with the words, “God is the final judge! Mayor, that’s all I’ve got!”

Commissioner Pearson’s felony voter fraud case ended March 29 in a mistrial. However, the case remains ongoing.  

City of Douglas Douglas City Commission Douglas, Georgia mayor
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Copy Link
Douglas Now Profile Pic
Bradley Bennett

Related Posts

Patriots score all of their points in first half, shut out Cougars 34-0 at home

September 5, 2025

Frances Louise Ortiz, 60

September 5, 2025

Margaret Hampton, 78

September 5, 2025

Comments are closed.

Top Posts

Convicted child molester allegedly gets drunk, lends truck to girlfriend, forgets and reports it stolen, then gets arrested for failure to register

February 19, 202573,607 Views

18 bodies in various states of decomposition found at funeral home during eviction process

October 27, 202467,329 Views

Dollar General employees catch 58-year-old female allegedly trying to pay for merchandise with movie money

August 27, 202565,840 Views

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

November 11, 202445,906 Views
RSS Latest Headlines from Fox News
  • Chargers end 7-game losing streak to Chiefs with statement win in Brazil season opener
  • Chiefs star Xavier Worthy leaves Chargers game with shoulder injury after colliding with Travis Kelce
  • Idaho killer left behind 'catastrophic' evidence that fast-tracked his capture, investigators reveal
  • Joe Kennedy III blasts RFK Jr. after fiery Senate hearing, fueling Kennedy family infighting: 'He must resign'
  • Andrew Cuomo has breakfast meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton as he trails Mamdani in NYC mayoral race
Follow us on Social Media!
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Pinterest
Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • At Home with Pam
  • Contact
© 2025 Coffee County Broadcasters, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Newell Media

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.