By Beverly Harris-Walker
bwalker@jacksonprogress-argus.com

Commissioner Gator Hodges, who made it a personal mission to abolish the retirement package the Board of Commissioners adopted in 2008, saw his persistence come to a head last Monday evening when the Board voted 4-1 to dissolve commissioner retirement benefits. The adjustment will affect anyone elected after the five current commissioners.

Vice Chairman Roger McDaniel seconded Hodges’ motion. Commissioner Rev. Robert Henderson dissented.

Hodges made a motion at the Board’s February meeting to begin the process. A resolution was drafted and ultimately accepted by the county’s insurance provider, GEBCorp.

Butts County initially adopted a retirement plan for county employees in 1986. State legislation approved a law allowing Georgia counties to extend retirement benefits to constitutionally elected officials in 1989. The Board of Commissioners, in 1993, approved a resolution to include elected officials in its county retirement plan. Under the 1993 plan, officials had a five year vestment period.

The ‘93 Board was comprised of Wesley Haley, Russ Crumbley, Eddie Travis, Fred Head, and Dave Bailey.

The new retirement plan in 2008 allowed commissioners 65 and older to draw $50 per month for every year of county service. A commissioner with 20 years of county service would receive $1,000 per month. Commissioners must be 65 or older to draw retirement. Under the 2008 plan, officials had a one year vestment period.

Commissioners, unlike the majority of county employees, neither work set hours, nor full-time.

Chairman Mitch McEwen, who served on the 2008 Board, voted against the 2008 retirement plan. No other commissioners currently serving voted on the retirement package.

Former commissioners Grover McIntyre and Gerald Kersey, who are retirement age, are currently drawing retirement and will continue to do so. In fact, current Board members - including Hodges and McDaniel - who have served over one year will draw retirement.

Additionally, commissioners Eddie Travis and Lester Peek will draw retirement when they reach age 65.