Santa Monica : Council Considers Pay Raise

The City Council on Tuesday debated how to raise their $50-a-month pay without raising voters’ hackles, and decided not to risk a direct pitch so soon after a pay raise measure was defeated at the polls two years ago.

Instead, council members will approach the matter indirectly and next week will vote on appointing a Charter revision committee to report to the public on their salaries and benefits, which are way below other similarly sized cities. Ultimately, voters must approve the pay raise, but council members said they may stand more chance of success if an intermediary group recommends the raise.

Councilwoman Judy Abdo raised the issue of a salary increase for the seven council members, who estimate they spend 20 to 30 hours a week on city business. Many of them must also work full time to support themselves.

But Councilwoman Christine Reed argued that it was unwise--and too soon--to approach the public, especially in November, when voters will be asked to approve a school bond measure. “If you just keep giving the public the opportunity to take out their anger on politicians, they’ll keep rising to the occasion,” Reed said.