Council members can raise their pay

Panel urged increases, but Modesto officials may vote 'no' because of tight budget

By ADAM ASHTON
aashton@modbee.com

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Modesto City Council members can vote themselves raises at their meeting Tuesday night, but it's not certain whether they'll accept the pay hikes.

Voters set the course for council pay raises in February when they approved Measure M, which created a salary setting commission and granted the mayor new powers to shape the city budget.

A five-person commission, led by retired Judge Hugh Rose III, recommended the mayor's salary increase to $3,600 a month from $800. It said council members should earn $2,000 a month instead of $800.

Some council members have said they support the raises to open public service to more people who can't afford to take time off from their jobs for city business. Others have said the mayor should earn a higher salary because his work typically takes 40 to 50 hours a week.

However, the city faces stark budget choices this year because of declining tax revenue. City officials expect to cut 3 percent to 10 percent from their budgets to keep from going in the red.

Council members said three weeks ago that those tight budget projections would weigh on their decisions of whether to accept the raises.

The Modesto City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the basement chambers of Tenth Street Place, 1010 10th St.

Bee staff writer Adam Ashton can be reached at aashton@modbee.com or 578-2366.