City Council pay, benefits to remain steady

The City Council on Wednesday voted to retain full healthcare benefits and $1,000 per month in pay for those who will serve on the government body in FY2009.

Under the Arizona Constitution, the outgoing Council has the responsibility of setting the pay scale for the incoming group. On Wednesday, four of five Councilmen present were outgoing members who will not return. Councilman Ed Farrell was the lone continuing member to vote in favor of the ordinance. Councilmen Joe Estes and Brent Murphree were absent.

Councilman Will Dunn, who did not receive enough votes to retain his seat, said he proposed that the pay rate not change, despite the fact that the positions require a lot of work and that those who would receive the benefit would likely be deserving. Dunn cited the economic downturn as the sole reason not to issue a pay raise.

Photo by RuthAnn Hogue