No Salary Increase for Irmo Council

An ordinance to increase the salaries for future Irmo Town Council members failed to get approval. 

Council members unanimously voted against first reading of the ordinance to increase council salaries by $1,800 per member, per year as recommended by the Archer Study, which examined the salaries of town staff.

Councilman Paul Younginer was not present for the regular meeting. 

The increase would have taken effect Jan. 1, 2016.

Currently, Irmo's mayor receives $550 per month and other council members receive $350 per month.

Mayor Hardy King said he made the request to add first reading of the ordinance to the agenda just so council could openly discuss the pay raise recommendation outlined in the study that was conducted several years ago since discussion has been held previously.

Both council members Kathy Condom and Harvey Hoots said serving on council was about public service, not money. 

Council hasn't received an increase in at least 20 years, King said.

The mayor's pay has increased in the last 8 or 9 years, town administrator Bob Brown said.