Council considers pay raise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- At a time when everyone's wallets are tight, Charlotte's city manager wants to give council members a sizeable raise.

The proposal would bring their total compensation up to par with cities of similar size across the country.

"We devote an awful lot of time to this job," said Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Burgess, who is generally in favor of the idea.

The city manager's office says a 27 percent increase isn't out of line. The hike would bump council members paychecks to just under $30,000 a year and move the mayor's up 19 percent to $39,900.

"I think some increase might be of merit but to come out and say 27 percent, that's bit much all at once," argues city employee Cindy Bradford.

It's especially tough for those who rank among the city's lowest paid. People like street maintenance worker Harry Morris who just this week pleaded before council to boost employees pay.

Already, Morris says, folks are being forced to sell their cars and homes.

"At 3 a.m. and it's snowing at night and you're asleep at night and hear the trucks, it's us in the trucks who're making the roads clear for you all to get to work in the morning," he explained.

Meanwhile, council members are divided.

"We don't serve on council for the money,” said Republican John Lassiter. “We serve on council because we want to help the community. "

While Burgess acknowledges that giving themselves a raise isn’t a politically popular proposition, she believes it ensures more opportunity for all who want to run for office.

"I just think that it's important that serving in elected office is not a tremendous financial sacrifice," she said.

Last year, council received a 1.75 percent increase. That’s half of what other Charlotte city employees were given.