Batesburg-Leesville’s longtime town manager Ted Luckadoo was about to take another job, but changed his mind after the Town Council offered him a $20,000 raise.

Luckadoo said he was considering an offer to serve as an administrator in Edgefield County. But he’s pleased to pass it up after receiving a new contract offer.

“It was going to be difficult to leave,” Luckadoo said.

There are a lot of projects he’s been working on with the town that are still underway. After being offered a $20,000 raise, he said he feels like he can be happy with where he is. His annual salary will immediately go up to $89,000. A year later it will be $99,000.

[Online copy corrected.]

Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull said he realized Luckadoo was underpaid in the current marketplace after learning about the offer he received from a neighboring county.

“I’m happy to say that we did reach an agreement which in fact keeps him with the town of Batesburg-Leesville,” the mayor said. “This allows the momentum to continue for current and future projects ... worth millions of dollars.”

Shull said the council agreed on a five-year contract.

The first two years of the contract will be used to get him within range of the offered amount:  going up $10,000 in the first year and another $10,000 beginning next year. He’ll then receive the same blanket rate increase given to all town employees. 

Also in the contract is an agreement that he will not seek nor accept any employment with any private entity within 30 miles of the borders of the town.

Luckadoo held the position of assistant town manager in Batesburg-Leesville before being appointed by council to town manager in September 2014.

According to town officials, he has served in various capacities of municipal government across the past 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge in municipal operations and administrative functions.