Tennessee § 6-20-204 - Compensation of mayor and commissioners.

§ 6-20-204. Compensation of mayor and commissioners.

The salary of the mayor shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) per month, and the salary of each commissioner shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per month; except that in cities that have a population of not less than one thousand (1,000), according to the federal census of 1970 or any subsequent federal census, the salary of the mayor shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per month, and the salary of each commissioner shall not exceed four hundred fifty dollars ($450) per month. No increase in the salaries permitted by this section shall become effective unless approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of commissioners. The salary of the mayor and commissioners shall be set by the board of commissioners. In cities with a population of less than one thousand (1,000), however, the salary of the mayor shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per month, and the salary of each commissioner shall not exceed four hundred fifty dollars ($450) per month. In cities with a population of one thousand (1,000) or more, the salary of the mayor shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per month, and the salary of each commissioner shall not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) per month. No increase in salaries of the mayor and commissioners shall be effective unless approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members to which the board of commissioners is entitled. Populations referred to in this section shall be as determined by the latest federal decennial census. This subsection (b) shall only apply in counties having a population of not less than four hundred seventy thousand (470,000) nor more than four hundred eighty thousand (480,000), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census. Notwithstanding the limits established in subsections (a) and (b), the salaries of the mayor and commissioners may be established annually by the board of commissioners at the time of adoption of the annual operating budget; provided, however, that such salaries shall not be increased or diminished prior to the end of the term for which such officials were elected. This subsection (c) shall become effective upon approval by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the board of commissioners. Acts 1921, ch. 173, art. 4, § 4; Shan. Supp., § 1997a136; mod. Code 1932, § 3533; Acts 1968, ch. 541, § 1; 1977, ch. 238, § 1; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 6-2015; Acts 1989, ch. 579, §§ 1, 2; 2001, ch. 141, § 1. Compiler's Notes. For table of U.S. decennial populations of Tennessee counties, see Volume 13 and its supplement. Cross-References. Councilmen, minimum salaries in municipalities of over 170,000 population, § 7-51-302 . Chief elected executive, minimum compensation in municipalities of over 170,000 population, § 7-51-301 . Attorney General Opinions. No criminal offense is committed under this section when the board of commissioners increases the salaries of commissioners prior to the end of the term for which the commissioners were elected, but a violation of the terms of subsection (c)(1), if made effective by a two-thirds vote of the board of commissioners, may constitute an offense under T.C.A. § 39-16-402(a)(4) , (5), OAG 03-138, 2003 Tenn. AG LEXIS 154 (10/15/03).