Saline Council Rejects Rasing its Own Pay

The Council unanimously rejected a recommendation this week to increase elected officials' salaries.

“We’re asking employees to get by with less. I believe it would be inappropriate for council to accept more," Councilman David Rhoads said.

The Local Officers Compensation Commission, which meets every two years, met Feb. 16 at City Hall. The commission recommended that the elected officials salaries hold steadily for 2011 and then increase slightly in 2012.

The raises wouldn’t have amounted to much. Mayor Gretchen Driskell would have seen a $120 raise from $4,000 to $4,120, annually. Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Marl would have seen a $75 raise from $2,475 to $2,550. And council members Dean Girbach, Linda Ter Haar, Pat Ivey, David Rhoads and Glenn Law would have seen their annual salary jump $65 to $2,240.

Using a salary and wage study provided by the Michigan Municipal League, the commission noted that the increased salaries would be comparable to those found in similarly sized cities.

“We did not propose a salary increase in 2011 due to the current economic circumstances; however, we hope that in the following year a three percent raise for our local elected officials will be allowed,” stated a memo from the commission to the council. Mike Johnson chaired the commission. Gene Corfman, Christopher Loftus and Janet Bigalke also served.

Council members wanted no part of the raise.

Girbach began the discussion during Monday's meeting.

“Even though saying no to the raise is more symbolic than anything else, I would like to make a motion to not accept the recommendation,” said Girbach. “We all know what kind of financial difficulties we’re facing.”

Marl agreed.

“Even though this is a symbolic gesture, symbolic gestures are important in politics. By accepting the recommendation, we would be sending the wrong message to the public and some might interpret that to mean that members of council have an entitlement mindset,” Marl said. “And faith in government is already at an all-time low.”

With many high school student sitting in the audience for government class credits, Driskell pointed out that she and the council members put in a lot of hours for a small sum of money.

“Every member of council is highly dedicated and spends many, many hours working for the city of Saline. I can guarantee you that this is much like a volunteer job, although we do accept a small amount of compensation,” she said.

Council also rejected raises when the issue came up in 2009.