City Council budget hearing and pay raise

Well this is unexpected/embarassing.

We arrived late, and the council finished up this week’s budget hearing early.

One reason for the expediency: The council passed the city council budget with no questions meaning that the pay raise/salary adjustment voted last time around will go through, unless individuals choose not to accept it.

Gary Rosen has already indicated he won’t be taking the additional money; Michael Germain says he won’t oppose it, but he won’t take it; Rick Rushton states he will most likely take it, as it was “well-vetted” last year; Bill Eddy, Joe Petty, Joff Smith and Paul Clancy all will take the increase, as it was voted through in the budget.

“It was voted by last year’s city council,” says Kate Toomey. That’s a yes.

Other councilors stick on the same point: that the amount was voted by the PREVIOUS council, not by the current body.

We’ll be back at 7 for the “real” City Council meeting.

On time this time, we promise
.