Council Approves 23% Pay Raise

The Lomita City Council on a 3-2 vote Monday approved a pay raise for itself that will take effect after next April’s election. The increase will boost council salaries to $4,680 a year, a 23% increase from the current $3,600.

Councilman Chuck Taylor, who authored the pay raise, said on Tuesday that the council has not had a wage increase in almost six years. Taylor joined with council members Peter J. Rossick and Robert Hargrave in adopting the pay increase.

“I think the salary is below standard,” Taylor said. “We are certainly worth more than that. I think the time we put in, if you break down the hours, we’re barely making minimum wage. If you’re going to give us a salary, at least make it something we don’t have to be ashamed of.”

Councilmen Charles Belba and Hal Croyts voted against the raise. “I voted against it because I think the timing was bad in light of the economic situation that . . . people are in,” Belba said.

Council members also are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses but have no set expense allowances.