Council members Randy Burkett and Elisha Demerson said "no" to Mayor Paul Harpole and Councilmember Mark Nair's motion to raise Interim City Manager Bob Cowell's pay by 7 percent.
The request by Harpole, which was moved by Nair, followed Councilmember Burkett's recommendation to increase Cowell's salary by 5 percent, since Cowell is the new Interim City Manager. Following procedural guidelines, outlined by City Attorney Mick McKamie, Harpole asked if the amendment could be accepted, to which Demerson sharply said "no."
The 5 percent motion by Burkett and Demerson was passed by a 5-0 vote of the Council. Harpole said that Cowell's salary could come back for discussion, at a later date.
