A sharply divided North-central Alabama Regional Council of Government board increased its in-coming executive director’s pay by more than $11,000 Friday.

When he reports to work Oct. 22, Neal Morrison will make $95,121 annually, $11,000 more than the personnel committee recommended.

If he gets satisfactory reviews, his salary will increase to $97,500 at the end of six months and $99,937 in a year.

The three-member committee earlier recommended his starting salary be $84,073 with an opportunity for it to increase to $95,121 in a year.

Cullman County Commission Chairman James Graves made the motion against the committee’s recommendation.

Another tight vote

Following a lengthy discussion, his motion passed on a 13-11 vote.

As was the case when he was hired, Morrison found support from Cullman County board members.

Morrison is a former state representative from Cullman who is in work-force development at Wallace State Community College.

In a separate 11-9 vote, the board approved Cullman County Commissioner Doug Williams’ motion to allow Morrison to transfer accumulated sick and vacation time from his Wallace State job.

Questioned by board Chairman Dwight Tankersley, Williams said he didn’t know the value of the sick and vacation time.

“I’ve never heard of anyone doing this,” Morgan County Commission Chairman John Glasscock said.

The board members who voted against Morrison’s pay structure tried to delay the vote until the value of the accumulated time was determined.

“It doesn’t matter, they are going to railroad it anyway,” Moulton Mayor Ray Alexander said, referring to the voters from Cullman.

Baileyton Mayor Johnny Dyar called the comments unfair and called for a vote.

Wallace State refused to release information about Morrison’s accumulated leave.

Before the board voted on Morrison’s pay, Rep. James Fields, D-Cullman, pleaded with Graves to withdraw his motion.

Fields is chairman of the personnel committee. He called the beginning salary fair and said the proposal would give NARCOG an opportunity to evaluate Morrison’s work.

Fields also said accepting the committee’s recommendation would allow the board to move forward and stop the questioning of each side’s integrity.

Graves said he didn’t want to cause discontent on the board, but that some had agreed to offer Wally Terry $100,000 during the interview process.

Terry, a former bank executive from Decatur, and Morrison were the final candidates.

Graves said Morrison was offered between $75,000 and $100,000.

“Why did this happen (during the interviews)?” Lawrence County Commissioner Mose Jones asked.

“I can answer that,” Glasscock responded. “It never happened.”

“That’s not a true statement Mr. Graves,” Alexander added.

After this exchange, Graves offered to withdraw his motion and increase Morrison’s starting pay to $102,435 annually.

He said Morrison’s salary shouldn’t be lower than any employee at NARCOG.

The organization has two employees making $91,800 annually.

Graves eventually returned to his first motion.

Neal Morrison’s salary vote