Talk of pay hike raising hackles

PROVO — A raise for Provo City Council, approved by members of the panel late Tuesday night, has raised the hackles of the city's full-time employees.

Mayor Lewis Billings told the council that the city's employees association had complained. Provo employees have seen small raises during the economic slump that began about the time of Sept. 11, 2001.

"The buzz around the city is," Billings said, " 'If you want to raise your salaries 25 percent, raise ours 25 percent.' They're aware there are more revenues this year, and they want some of that."

The raise is less than $3,000, from $9,576 to $12,000 per year.

Before the 5-2 vote in favor of the raise, Billings urged the council to postpone the decision and consider a different process.

"I think people knew the salaries before the election," he said. "I think the high road would be to have an outside review, change the salaries if necessary and wait until after the next election to implement them. You have an opportunity here to do things that send a little better message."

Council chairman George Stewart was surprised by the brouhaha.

"When I was in the private sector I raised my own salary all the time," he said, adding that the total annual cost of the increase is $16,968.

"I'm surprised city employees would use this small increase to justify an increase for them that would cost millions of dollars," Stewart said. "I think the City Council is way undercompensated. My private financial situation doesn't require it. I think it's an atrocity to have a base annual salary at this range."

Councilmembers said they had little negative feedback from residents. However, Steve Turley and Midge Johnson spoke against it. They voted against the increases.

"It's not good public policy for anyone in government to give themselves a raise," Turley said. "Your wisdom is compelling, mayor. It would be a good gesture to employees to see how the budget surpluses sort out."

Residents spoke for and against the raise.

"I value your work far more than that," Kurt Peterson said. "I don't want only people in those seats to only be wealthy individuals who have other resources that allow them to serve on the City Council."

However, resident Phil Davis thought the current compensation was enough.

"I have to say I was really surprised to learn from the newspaper that we're paying you," Davis said. "I thought this was a volunteer office. If you want to resign, we could fill your seat within 30 days with people happy to take the $9,000."

Provo's council is paid far less than those in Salt Lake City, Sandy and Murray.

"I didn't know of the disparity, or I would have put it in my platform," Stewart said.

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