5 Percent Raise Expected For SJ Mayor And City Council
SAN JOSE (KCBS) — San Jose City Council's Salary Setting Commission votes Wednesday night to possibly grant Mayor Chuck Reed and the City Council itself pay raises.
The commission is expected to recommend a five-percent pay increase in a politically-charged issue that not all city residents are keen on.
In fact, more than 60 percent of San Jose residents who responded to an online city survey said the San Jose City Council and Mayor Chuck Reed do not deserve a raise.
Joshua Brigman, who lives downtown, said that money would be better spent elsewhere.
"We've got a lot of people needing jobs and a lot of homeless people and stuff," Brigman said.
Salary Commission To Vote On 5 Percent Raise for San Jose Mayor And City Council
Council members seem to agree.
"Now is not the time for us to be voting on pay increases for ourselves," said Councilman Sam Liccardo.
Mayor Chuck Reed is recommending modest pay increases, but only as pay is restored for city employees who agreed to 10-percent pay cuts.
Liccardo said it really shouldn't be the council's job to approve their own salaries.
"Particularly in times when we know it's been very tough for a lot of residents in this city, he said.
Council members are currently paid $81,000 a year; the mayor receives $114,000, although Reed has been declining raises since he took office in 2007.
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