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Wednesday, Apr. 23, 2008

Budget to play big role in vote on Modesto council pay

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Modesto's budget crunch will weigh on City Council members when they decide whether to accept suggested pay raises next month, three of them said Tuesday night.

The council heard a report from a salary-setting commission that recommended wages of $3,600 a month for the mayor and $2,000 a month for council members. Both are raises from the $800 monthly sal-ary.

The report follows voters' approval of a February ballot measure that increased the mayor's power and called for council pay raises. The council is expected to vote May 13 on whether to take the raises.

"This is about the future," Councilman Brad Hawn said, contending that the raises are important to enable more people to run for office. "It's not necessarily how we do it today."

The council cut more than $15 million in spending this year because of declining tax revenue. It expects further reductions next year.