ANAHEIM : City Considers Raise for Commissioners

At the suggestion of Councilman Irv Pickler, members of the Planning Commission may soon be getting a raise.

The council this week ordered city staff to draft an ordinance that would increase the amount commissioners are paid from $50 to $75 per meeting. A survey of other commissions in Orange County found several whose members receive $75, staff reported.

However, Councilman William D. Ehrle said members of the Planning Commission should be paid $100 per meeting and that people who serve on other city commissions ought to be paid as well.

“I don’t think $75 is enough,” Ehrle said. “I certainly think they deserve more than that.”

According to city staff, there are currently 13 city commissions with about 125 members total. The Planning Commission and the Community Redevelopment Commission are the only ones eligible for stipends. The remaining 11 boards are made up of volunteers.

Councilwoman Miriam Kaywood spoke against eliminating volunteers. “I think this would be changing the whole concept of Anaheim, which is based on volunteerism,” she said. “There is no shortage of people willing to serve.”

In a 4-1 vote, with Kaywood opposed, the council decided to have the city staff prepare a report on the feasibility of paying all city commissioners.

The council is expected to vote on the raises in the next few months.