Some of Newton’s top elected officials may get their first raise in about 14 years when the City Council weighs the recently completed compensation report produced by the all-volunteer Blue Ribbon Commission, the Newton TAB reports.
The mayor’s current salary is $125,000. The [Blue Ribbon] Commission recommends $140,000, a 12 percent increase.
Each city councilor’s current salary is $9,750. The Commission recommends $14,000, a 43.6 percent increase if the councilor uses city benefits. If he or she does not, the salary recommendation is $19,000.
Each School Committee member’s current salary is $4,875. The Commission recommends $7,500, a 53.8 percent increase if the member uses city benefits. If he or she does not, the salary recommendation is $9,000.
Read the full Blue Ribbon Commission report here.
“Let them eat cake!” Or at least “humble pie.” Maybe then they’ll demonstrate a little less arrogance, and a bit more respect for voters.
More interesting is “where will funds be taken from”?
Fee increases? Reduction in what services? Planned override?
@bugek, the salaries and benefits of local elected officials is basically equivalent to a rounding error in the tax levy.
If you do the job right, you are probably earning less than minimum wage, and the benefits make up for that. And the fact that the raise is bigger for councilors who are not getting benefits accounts for that.
All in all, the City of Newton and its residents are getting a bargain.
Again, there should be No salary increases accept for the Mayor until the City Council approves a reduction in the size of the body. When Councilors and Candidates run for election, Newton voters need to demand accountability.
This discussion will take place in the Programs & Services Committee on Wednesday, June 19th.
The date noted here of June 17th is incorrect.
Thanks Karyn.
What do they make 10,000.00 ? For all that work? I don’t know if they should get a raise or not (compared to other communities?) but it’s not much for all the work they do which has got to make it far less than minimum wage + late nights at city hall. I agree with some and disagree with some, but I don’t disagree they don’t get much for what they do.
There must be other *perks* for such low pay.
I’m pretty sure no one is serving on or running for City Council for the money. More likely, folks are willing to serve for peanuts because they care deeply about our city and its future.
From this year’s crop of candidates, some appear to be motivated by a desire to make sure our city evolves and progresses in response to the critical needs of our day (the climate crisis and the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have nots); others appear to be motivated by a desire to slow down and protect the status quo.