New Budget, No New Taxes

Hendersonville's Board of Mayor and Aldermen gave approval to the 2013-14 budget which includes raises for most city employees.  The budget does not require a tax increase.  The raise for the Mayor, originally slated for a 30% increase, was whittled down to 6% -- or roughly $4000 -- enough to boost the Mayor's pay to just over $90,000.  Foster will still make less than Gallatin Mayor Jo Ann Graves, who earns $111,000 a year.

Forsythe Under Fire

Former Alderman Garry Forsythe, who supposedly "ran" for Mayor in 2012 in what many suspect was an attempt to split votes and ensure a Scott Foster re-election, is now under fire for his $48,500 proposed city salary in the Mayor's "Central Administration Budget."

Forsythe joined the city last year and worked a full week before any Aldermen were formally informed of his being on payroll.  The arrangement corroborates a rumor going around during the election that Foster would offer Forsythe a job in exchange for Forsythe entering the Mayor's race. 

Forsythe never really campaigned, didn't put up too many signs, and raised little money in his campaign.  Still, his 8% of the vote may have been enough to keep Tommy Elsten from winning the Mayor's race. 

Now, Alderman Matt Stamper is challenging both Forsythe's arrangement with the City and Foster's proposed 30% pay increase for himself. 

The discussion in the full Board should be quite interesting. 

Foster, Others May See Big Raises

Mayor Scott Foster has proposed a 30% increase in his own salary and 5-30% increases in other city employee salaries for the 2013-14 budget.

While many believe the salary of $86,600 currently paid to Foster is too low, it's not clear if there is broad support to bring the pay up to $112,000 -- just $1000 more than Gallatin Mayor JoAnn Graves earns.

Foster says the raises are needed to keep the city competitive with other cities in Middle Tennessee.

The plan requires approval from the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.