The council next Tuesday will consider raising the salaries of the mayor, district and at-large council members, city clerk, and city treasurer positions. I can’t actually say “raising their own salaries,” because the new salaries won’t take effect until after the next election. In other words, if they pass this increase, they’ll only get the raise if they get reelected.
Here are the proposed salaries and car allowances:
| Position | Salary | Car Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor | $32,400 | $475/month |
| District Councilman | $14,000 | $400/month |
| At-Large Councilman | $14,000 | $400/month |
The City Clerk and City Treasurer salaries are the same, and would increase by 5% each year as follows:
| Period | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| May 5, 2009 to May 4, 2010 | $94,264.80 |
| May 5, 2010 to May 4, 2011 | $98,978.04 |
| May 5, 2011 to May 4, 2012 | $103,926.94 |
| May 5, 2012 to May 4, 2013 | $109,123.29 |
It’s funny — in a private company, salaries are something that is kept secret among the staff. And generally, most people don’t disclose their salary to others. But if you work for the city or some other public body, your salary is public knowledge. Everybody knows. Your co-workers, your friends, your neighbors. They all know what you make. That has to feel a bit awkward at times.