On Tuesday night, the Jackson Township Council voted to drastically lower the salaries of elected officials, including the Mayor and Council President.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn said the adjustment was made to reflect the part-time nature of those positions.
“Jackson Township’s mayor position is a part-time position, but for decades, has been receiving a full-time salary,” Kuhn said. “In our effort to increase government efficiency, the council felt this was necessary after hearing residents’ concerns for years on this matter. We also felt the council president position should not receive more than the other council members, so we also voted to make all council members receive equal pay for a savings of $35,000 annually to the taxpayers. We did this out of fairness to the people of Jackson.”
Council President Kuhn said that if the township determines that a full-time mayor is needed to manage the town in the future, the council could revisit this matter.
However, he added that a full-time mayor receiving a full-time salary should also work full-time hours in town hall and regularly attend township council meetings.
“Jackson Township mayors have always been part-time,” said Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein. “Mayors always have full-time jobs outside of the township, and this adjustment was necessary. The council is also a part-time job, and the salaries reflect that. We should not be paying a full-time salary for a part-time position; it’s not fair to the taxpayers or other employees in town hall who are making much less in a full-time position.”
