Buena Park : Council Members Take $100-a-Month Pay Hike
After five years without a raise, City Council members decided Monday to increase their monthly paychecks from $400 to $500, the maximum allowed by state law.
State law limits salaries to $500 monthly for council members in cities with populations of 50,000 to 75,000, City Clerk Alcene Cain said. Buena Park has about 65,000 residents, she said.
“We call it a salary but it’s not really a salary, it’s more of a reimbursement,” Cain said. “There are a lot of expenses with being on the council.”
Mayor Lester J. Reese said the highest cost to council members was time. Reese estimated that he and other council members spend between 15 to 30 hours a week working on city business. The council voted unanimously for the pay increase.
Reese noted that besides handling council matters, each member is expected to serve on several municipal and county committees.
“And then there are different city dedications, opening ceremonies, greeting visiting dignitaries. It goes on and on,” Reese said.
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