Wage increase could be in the works for Jacksonville aldermen

By Ryne Turke on September 27, 2016 at 11:50am

Monday’s City Council workshop included the first reading of an ordinance addressing this topic.

Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard says the potential pay raise would be similar to other union negotiated contracts city employees have received.

“It was passed on a first reading and the discussion involved a two percent raise for the mayor, clerk and treasurer, as well as a $50 a month raise for aldermen. This would not take place till May of 2017 and be good for four years,” says Ezard.

Currently, aldermen receive $250 a month, and the proposed raise would bump that pay to $300 a month.

According to the Jacksonville Journal Courier, Alderman Don Cook noted there hadn’t been a salary adjustment for elected officials since 2011. Cook says the raise is standard for most municipal governments.

Aldermen Travis Richardson and Steve Warmowski voted against the first reading of the ordinance, for reasons including lack of research and the ordinances overall wording.

In other action, City Council approved a 2008 Genie man lift and LED lighting for the city clerk’s office.