In line with many other appointed boards, Columbus Light and Water commissioners receive annual salaries of more than $9,000.
Each month, the five commissioners are paid $300, as determined by the City Council, and receive about $450 for individual health insurance.
“It”s been that way a while,” General Manager Todd Gale said.
The board, which meets every third Thursday, is responsible for setting policy, approving the utility”s budget and approving payments.
Commissioners serve staggered five-year terms and are appointed by the city council.
Board members for 2010-11 are Chairman Jabari O. Edwards, Vice Chairman David Shelton, James D. Graham, Tom Sneed and Brandy Gardner.
Edwards is paid $25 more per month than other commissioners, making his total annual salary including insurance benefits about $10,800, Gale said.
Gale said the commissioners put in about four hours of work each week, while the chairman does double that.
Serving on the board is about community service, not the money, Sneed said.
“If you want to look at (compensation) from the amount of time put in, yeah it”s fair,” said Sneed, who has served on the board multiple terms. “If you want to look at it from the size and operations of the company, it”s extremely low.”
The salary has not changed since he arrived, Sneed added.
Commissioners also have access to $2,000 for travel expenses, but have seldom used the money in recent years, Gale said.
The utility, which was incorporated in 1939, has about 13,000 electric, water and sewer system customers.
CL&W also provides potable water and wastewater treatment service to Columbus Air Force Base.
Who is on the board
Columbus Light and Water is overseen
by the following board of directors:
- Jabari O. Edwards
Began serving: May 2004
Total annual compensation: $10,800
Other employment: Part owner of Bridge Group insurance company
- David Shelton
Began serving: June 1999
Total annual compensation: $9,000
Other employment: Retired businessman
- Tom Sneed
Began serving: October 1999
Total annual compensation: $9,000
Other employment: West Brothers Construction
- James Graham
Began serving: September 2002
Total annual compensation: $9,000
Other employment: GoBox storage solutions
- Brandy Gardner
Began serving: December 2009
Total annual compensation: $9,000
Other employment: Lowndes County Schools
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