Canal Winchester council votes themselves, mayor raises
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:55 AM
By Elizabeth Gibson
The Columbus Dispatch
Canal Winchester Village Council members gave themselves a 25 percent raise to go into effect over the next two years yesterday, although one councilman said they might reconsider depending on the village budget.
''With the economic situation we're in, some of us may refuse the pay increase if things don't improve,'' Councilman John Bender said today. ''People don't serve on council for money.''
Council president Rick Deeds and vice president Victor Paini missed the vote because they were on vacation, but the issue had been worked out in committee and there was little discussion at yesterday's meeting.
Council members make $4,800 a year and will get $5,100 in 2010 and $6,000 in 2011. The president receives $492 more than his colleagues each year.
They also approved a raise for the mayor, going up from an annual $75,000 to $76,500 to $80,000.
The council, which meets twice a month and also holds committee meetings, reviews its salary every two years. Bender said they decided on the increase because they felt it was necessary to match what other villages in central Ohio pay.
But it comes at a difficult time.
The city is looking at as much as a 3 percent water and sewer rate increase, finance director Nanisa Osborn said. She has suggested scaling back the budget next year to cope with the flat income-tax revenue and dropping investment income that she expects.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 10:55 AM
By Elizabeth Gibson
The Columbus Dispatch
Canal Winchester Village Council members gave themselves a 25 percent raise to go into effect over the next two years yesterday, although one councilman said they might reconsider depending on the village budget.
''With the economic situation we're in, some of us may refuse the pay increase if things don't improve,'' Councilman John Bender said today. ''People don't serve on council for money.''
Council president Rick Deeds and vice president Victor Paini missed the vote because they were on vacation, but the issue had been worked out in committee and there was little discussion at yesterday's meeting.
Council members make $4,800 a year and will get $5,100 in 2010 and $6,000 in 2011. The president receives $492 more than his colleagues each year.
They also approved a raise for the mayor, going up from an annual $75,000 to $76,500 to $80,000.
The council, which meets twice a month and also holds committee meetings, reviews its salary every two years. Bender said they decided on the increase because they felt it was necessary to match what other villages in central Ohio pay.
But it comes at a difficult time.
The city is looking at as much as a 3 percent water and sewer rate increase, finance director Nanisa Osborn said. She has suggested scaling back the budget next year to cope with the flat income-tax revenue and dropping investment income that she expects.
