After failing to obtain a unanimous vote, the Corvallis City Council will once again take up an ordinance that would look at whether the Council and Mayor should receive a monthly paycheck.
During its Feb. 7 meeting, the Council will conduct a second reading of the ordinance relating to Mayor and Councilor Compensation.
At the Jan. 18 meeting, the Council passed the ordinance on an eight-to-one vote, with Councilor Ellis opposing. Municipal Code requires a second reading of an ordinance at the next Council meeting when the decision is not unanimous.
The proposed monthly stipend recommended for council members is $360, $410 for Council Vice President, and $460 for Council President. The recommendation for Mayor Biff Traber is $560 per month, an increase from the current stipend he receives, set at $100 per month.
This newly proposed stipend is also a slight increase from what was proposed back in November; the stipend for council members was set at $225, $275 for Council Vice President, and $325 for Council President.
If the council adopts the ordinance, the total annual cost is estimated at $46,200. The Council will then put it before the voters for a final decision and will need to have the measure ready by the end of February in order to get it on the May ballot.
By: Jennifer Williams
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