ANAHEIM : Salaries of Council Raised to Maximum

A voter-approved pay increase that more than doubles the salaries of City Council members has gone into effect.

The council’s five members will now receive the state maximum for a city the size of Anaheim, $1,000 a month, with annual inflation adjustments not to exceed 5%.

Previously, council members were paid $400 monthly and the mayor was paid $800. Their salaries had not been raised since 1964, except to adjust for inflation.

The council ratified the pay increase last week despite objections from a resident who said the money would be better spent on social programs. Max Engel encouraged the council to contribute the raises to programs such as free lunches for senior citizens sponsored by Feedback Foundation Inc.

Council members rejected that suggestion, saying the city had already contributed to the program and that 60% of voters approved the raise during a special election last month.