The Tampa City Council may soon be known as the the thirty one percenters.
City council members on Thursday stopped short of giving themselves a $9,500 raise.
But they did decide to give the 2007 council $9,500 pay increases.
What barely was mentioned, however, is that several of the seven council members could return in 2007.
“It’s not that we’re being selfish,” Councilwoman Mary Alvarez said. “We deserve it, for God’s sake.”
Council members earn an annual salary of $30,742. Council positions are considered part time. The increase will boost salaries 31 percent to $40,250.
Several council members plan to run for re-election.
Councilman Shawn Harrison announced he is running for a citywide seat. Councilman John Dingfelder intends to run to keep his District 4 seat. Councilwoman Rose Ferlita, who faces term limits in her citywide seat, is contemplating a run against Dingfelder for the district seat. Councilwomen Gwen Miller and Linda Saul-Sena intend to run again for their citywide seats.
Council members serve four-year terms.
Councilman Kevin White announced he is running for a Hillsborough County Commission seat.
Alvarez is being forced out by term limits and does not intend to seek a different seat.
She joined Harrison in casting the two dissenting votes against the pay increase. Ferlita was absent for the final vote.
Alvarez voted no because she said if she has to fight for a pay raise, so should the next council.
So, how does one justify raising one’s salary by a third? Read on…
“We have a backlog of developers trying to get on the schedule,” White said. “Council members frequently request extra workshops, extra meetings. The dedications, the ceremonies, the ribbon-cuttings…
Oh.