Thursday, December 20, 2001
Council member's salaries would be $8,500 in 2003.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Although a majority of city council members say giving themselves a $500-per-year raise that won't take effect until 2003 is fair, others say accepting an increase in the current economic climate is a bad idea.
The issues were hashed out Wednesday during a meeting of the finance and legislation committee. The group is considering passage of an ordinance that would create the raises.
Committee Chairman Robert D. Carcelli said the proposed ordinance would raise salaries for the city's seven part-time council members from $8,000 per year to $8,500 in 2003.
The ordinance also would increase the annual salary of Thomas Sweder, part-time city treasurer, from $8,200 to $9,000 in 2003 with an increase to $10,000 in 2004.
No other elected officials would receive raises.
Discussion: Carcelli, D-at large, said he does not feel the increase will negatively affect the city's economy. With each council member receiving an additional $500, the budget would increase by $3,500.
He added the increases would make an insignificant mark on the city's $6.5 million budget. He said the city is financially sound, having ended last year $477,000 in the black.
But Councilman Mark A. Sandine, D-2nd, said he feels the economy is too insecure to vote in pay raises. He pointed to the recent postponement of police and fire union contract negotiations and an anticipated increase in city health-care costs as reasons to forgo the raises.
He also said many city residents have recently been "hit in the pocketbook" with 100 lost jobs this year.
He added he did not believe the treasurer's job warrants a $10,000 salary.
The raises would not effect Carcelli and Sandine because both men lost re-election. The new council begins its term Jan. 1.
Opponents: Council President Danny Thomas Jr., a Democrat, had requested that a proposed $500 increase to his $8,400 salary be pulled from the pay raise ordinance, saying the economic future of the city is uncertain.
Also opposing the pay increase was Anthony R. Protopapa Jr., D-1st, saying he is the newest member on the council and does not feel he is in a position to request a raise. He added he feels it is unjust to ask for a raise when others in the community are facing layoffs.
In favor: Supporting the increases were Daniel R. Yemma, D-3rd, Terry P. Stocker, D-4th, and Dexter A. Hollen, D-at large.
Stocker told his colleagues the ordinance puts off raises until 2003. If council members feel the city is in financial straits before then, the ordinance can be repealed.
He also pointed to the disproportionate raises received by the mayor in recent years. The mayor's salary increased from $16,800 in 1996 to $34,500 in 2000.
Ronald Mathews, D-at large, said he feels uncomfortable supporting the measure unless it receives unanimous approval.
Both Yemma and Stocker criticized Thomas, Sandine and Protopapa, saying the three had agreed to pay raises at a Dec. 5 committee meeting but changed their opinions during the Dec. 12 regular council meeting when members were to vote on the proposal.
The ordinance received a first reading at the Dec. 12 meeting. It will receive a second reading at next Wednesday's meeting, when council members will vote on the matter if they agree to suspend regular rules and waive a third reading.
Because elected officials are not permitted to vote on their own pay increases while in term, the issue must be decided before Dec. 31.