Maywood : City Council Members Vote Themselves a 10% Raise

While other cities are shaving dollars from their council budgets, Maywood council members have voted to give themselves a 10% raise.

The City Council tentatively approved the increase--which reflects a 5% pay increase for fiscal years 1991-92 and 1992-93--on a 4-0 vote earlier this month. The increase will take effect after the 1994 election. Council member Rose Marie Busciglio was absent.

The raise will bring each council member’s monthly salary to about $556, or $50 more per month. The raise, which will cost the city nearly $3,000 more each year, is well deserved, said Ron Lindsey, chief administrative officer.

“We are one of the few cities without great problems, and that’s no accident,” Lindsey said.

Mayor Thomas H. Engle, who is up for reelection next year, said he felt comfortable approving the raise despite uncertain economic times. Depending on the city’s financial health and the outcome of elections next spring, council members could vote to reverse the raise before it takes effect in June, he said.

The raise means Maywood council members will receive salaries closer to those in neighboring cities such as South Gate and Cudahy, where members receive $600 monthly. South Gate council members have not received a raise since 1986, a city spokeswoman said.