(MOBILE, Ala.) If you had a chance to give up your salary to help your community, would you?
Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl did Monday. He says it was supposed to be kept quiet, but the public vote required meant word spread quickly.
"I didn't want to make it an election issue. I didn't want somebody to vote for me because I was free," said Carl.
As it turns out, voters of district three are getting a bargain, Carl is giving up his salary of more than $70,000 plus other compensation. That's a total of $91,000 that will go to needs in his district.
"We've been reviewing, going through financials, and figuring out what we can fix and help. And whether that's food banks or individual entities, there's so many needs where do you start?"
There was already $70,000 in the district three fund, bringing the total to $160,000 that could pay for things like school supplies and pavement projects. Carl says it will take some time decide where to spend it. In meantime, he doesn't want a lot of fuss over his decision.
"I don't take necessarily a lot of pride in that. I mean it's a responsibility, and we give back to the community as a whole. So whether you get paid or not. I don't want to take away from the people who actually get paid."
Carl says his goal is to not draw a salary each year he's in office. He says that goal should be attainable as long as the businesses he and his wife own continue to do well.
