HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975 06-19 Maplewood eyes council pay hike DISPATCH ' Maeyes"
council aY hike
The Maplewood City Council handful of poison ivy out
is considering raising the may- among the voters."
or's and councilmen's salaries, "FOR THE area we're living
effective in 1976. in and for the time that's spent
THE COUNCIL last week ta- administering this office that
bled until tonight's meeting a I'm sitting in," he said, "I be-
recommendation by Mayor Rob- lieve it isthe most underpaid
ert Bruton to increase the may- position that a person could
or's salary from $2,400per year have."
to $3,600 and councilmen's sala- "I can see why other persons
ries from$1,800 to$2,700. in the past have resigned from
Bruton noted that the council this position,". Murdock added.
has held more than twice the "The pressures are unbelieva-
number of its regularly sched- ble. You have to really sacrifice
uled meetings (two a month). to put out for this job."
Because of its recently adapted Murdock said a pay increase
curfew, the number of meetings would encourage working per-
can be expected to increase sons, who perhaps "can't afford
when the economy improves,he to take off two hours (from
said. work) to go to a metro meet-
He also noted that the mayor ing," to take on such responsi-
and councilmen do not apply for bilities.
mileage reimbursement. Bruton Without adequate compensa-
recommended that they continue tion for such duties, he said,
not to apply and that no addi- "wealthy people are the only
tional pay be established for people that can serve (on the
special meetings. council),and that's wrong."
ELEVEN of 22 larger metro-' He added that the cost to the
politan cities and seven of 10 city would be small. Bruton said
larger non-metropolitan cities the pay increase would add _
paid their mayors and council- $4,800 to next year's budget.
men more in 1974 than Maple- The mayor said the council
wood,he said. must act now or.under state law
Councilman Burton Murdock . it may not act for two more
expressed strong support for a. Pay increases must be-
pay increase, even though, he' come effective after city elec-
said, "I may be as popular as a tions,he said.