Log in Newsletter

Hope Mills board votes to increase town manager’s salary

Posted

HOPE MILLS — The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Monday voted to increase  Town Manager Scott Meszaros’ salary by $5,000 a year. 

The board met in closed session Monday to discuss the pay increase for Meszaros. The meeting ran after 10 p.m. When the board emerged, they had agreed on a $5,000 increase.  

Commissioner Bryan Marley made a motion to direct the town attorney to draft an addendum to the manager’s contract to increase his annual salary by $5,000 effective the first pay period in December. The salary will be prorated for the remainder of the year and for the rest of the contract. Marley then authorized Mayor Jackie Warner to execute the contract addendum. Commissioner Grilley Mitchell seconded it, and the addendum was passed unanimously.  

According to salary sites like Glassdoor.com, Salary.com, and ZipRecruiter, the average base salary for a town manager position ranges from $78,000 to $130.000 in the U.S.  

Based on his experience, Meszaros said the national number is closer to $160,000. Online sites do not consider inflation rates, responsibilities, experience, and the town’s population. 

“Being a town manager is a difficult job,’’ Commissioner Joanne Scarola said. “There’s a lot of moving parts to get to a town functioning properly and successfully.” 

Warner had high praise for Meszaros. 

 “Scott Meszaros is completing his first 18 months as our town manager during which time he has moved major projects forward to include our multimillion-dollar Public Safety Building which is on time and on budget,’’ she said. “He successfully prepared a no-tax-increase budget, along with negotiating a contract with three volunteer fire departments to provide service as substations to areas where our town is seeing growth, and he successfully along with planning and permitting staff, revamped our process for new development.’’  

Meszaros, whose family moved to Hope Mills from Alaska, started as town manager on June 1, 2021. 

Meszaros signed the contract offered by the town with a base salary of $129,095.31 with the promise of an increase and health insurance. His contract expires in June of 2023.

According to Meszaros, this was not a new contract but an adjustment of his pay.  

Hit the ground running 

Warner said the list of Meszaros’ accomplishments is extensive.  

“Meszaros also helped hire the police chief, oversaw updating our ordinances to include an overlay district, and worked closely with DOT in preparation for the widening of Rockfish Road, and was instrumental in supervising the expenditure of additional monies received from the state with our new playground and splash pad under construction,’’ Warner said. “The list could go on and on.” 

Meszaros has fit right in and made the town his home. 

Your support helps ensure a more informed community. Donate today.

“The point to be made is he came to our town from Alaska   — and hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped,’’ Warner said. “He came with experience and knowledge but with no ties to our small town. He likes calling Hope Mills home!” 

Meszaros said his family loves living in Hope Mills and has planted roots by buying a house.  

“It’s about relationships and what we do here,” Meszaros said. 

He said he enjoys the staff he works with. 

Meszaros said he thinks his experience has made a positive impact on the town and he believes he can help the town get what it needs in the next couple of years.  

“I hope to be a part of Hope Mills’ future here,” he said. “We’re here to serve.” 

Jason Canady covers Hope Mills for CityView. He can be reached at jcanady@cityviewnc.com. 

Hope Mills, Board of Commissioners, town manager

X