Qualifying fees for mayor and council member positions up for election in November were set during the Thomson City Council's January meeting. The Secretary of State's office requires municipal governing authorities set these fees based on 3 percent of the salary paid them no later than Feb. 1 of any election year.
The mayor's position in Thomson now pays $7,000 annually, making the fee to run $210. Bob Knox, Jr. Has announced he will not seek re-election in November. City Councilman Ken Usry has expressed interest in running for the seat.
Council members are compensated $4,000 a year, making their new fee $120. These salaries were increased in September of 2003 from $4,400 for mayor and $2,500 for councilmen.
All seats for Thomson mayor and council are four-year terms that will be voted on Nov. 6. Other than Mayor Knox, the only other candidate to announce that they will not seek re-election is John Wiley.
