Two County Commission members have opted to accept some unexpected back pay that was turned down by three other county officials.
County finance this week paid current Chairman Chester Bankston $5,318 and Commissioner Jim Fields, $6,969.
Former Commissioner Fred Skillern was paid $8,889. He said he first was told that the officials could not turn down the money so he promised half each to Soddy Daisy High School and Sale Creek High School.
Those choosing to turn down the money include Jim Coppinger, who is now county mayor, and Larry Henry, the current clerk of Circuit Court.
Randy Fairbanks, current vice chairman, also turned down the money ($3,280). He said, "I understood when I took the position that I would be getting an additional $2,500. I don't think I should be entitled to any more."
Chairman Bankston said earlier he was taking the money because "I am getting a pay cut." Under the recent commission resolution, the chairman will continue to get $5,000 extra and the vice chairman $2,500 extra, but they would not be eligible for percentage raises.
Commissioner Fields earlier had "no comment" when asked if he was accepting the money.
County Mayor Coppinger had been penciled in for $1,073, and Circuit Court Clerk Henry for $5,250.
The county mayor said, "I do not feel that said additional compensation is deserved. Therefore, I do hereby relieve Hamilton County of any obligation to pay me this compensation."
Circuit Court Clerk Henry said, "I do not want, nor will accept, any further compensation. I hereby relieve Hamilton County of any obligation to pay me $5,250 additional compensation."
The issue arose when it was found that a 1990 resolution was still on the books that gave the chairman 40 percent more than the other commissioners and the vice chairman an extra 30 percent. The commission in 1999 began going to the extra $5,000 and $2,500.