MONROE - Aldermen shot down a proposal to raise their pay Tuesday after it was presented by Mayor Louis Armstrong.
"While it won't bring in huge incentive to run, it might bring in more names to the ballot," Armstrong said of increasing pay from $3,000 to $4,000 per year.
However, council members disagreed with the idea and said from their experience, people do not run for the office based on financial compensation. Aldermen Brooke Bauman, Reid Stangel and Charles Koch had told the mayor previously that they had not known they would be paid at all when they first ran for the office.
Armstrong said compensation for council members has not increased in 20 years. He said council members are paid roughly 28 cents per Monroe resident, less than a number of comparable cities.
On Tuesday, Alderwoman Chris Beer was one of the seven members present who voiced opposition to the idea.
"I think I could probably speak for most people here that we don't do this because of what we get paid," Beer said. Stangel added that given foreseeable budget restrictions, he was against the idea, although he appreciated the thought. Boyce agreed with Stangel as well.
"While it won't bring in huge incentive to run, it might bring in more names to the ballot," Armstrong said of increasing pay from $3,000 to $4,000 per year.
However, council members disagreed with the idea and said from their experience, people do not run for the office based on financial compensation. Aldermen Brooke Bauman, Reid Stangel and Charles Koch had told the mayor previously that they had not known they would be paid at all when they first ran for the office.
Armstrong said compensation for council members has not increased in 20 years. He said council members are paid roughly 28 cents per Monroe resident, less than a number of comparable cities.
On Tuesday, Alderwoman Chris Beer was one of the seven members present who voiced opposition to the idea.
"I think I could probably speak for most people here that we don't do this because of what we get paid," Beer said. Stangel added that given foreseeable budget restrictions, he was against the idea, although he appreciated the thought. Boyce agreed with Stangel as well.