During the campaign for Chandler City Council, an issue has been raised about council salaries.
This “red herring” was brought up because the candidate, Donna Wallace, is incapable of talking about real issues.
The voters deserve the facts. The modest increase in the council stipend was voted on in 2007 but could not go into effect until after the 2008 election had occurred.
If she was so concerned about this issue, why didn’t she raise it in that election cycle? I think we all know the answer. It didn’t serve her political ambition then.
Another fact she fails to explain is that Chandler council members currently receive only $1,667 per month. This is less than their counterparts in many cities including Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria and Tempe.
This issue was a nonstarter in the primary when two incumbents were reelected. However, she continues to harp on it rather than talk about her ideas to make Chandler better. That’s because she doesn’t have any ideas.
Donna Wallace isn’t a critical thinker. She’s just critical, as well as negative and divisive. I want someone representing me who is thinking about our future, not whining about the past. Please join me in voting for Kevin Hartke for City Council.
Mary Ann Doyle, Chandler
billrichardson posted at 7:13 am on Sat, Oct 16, 2010.
http://forums.evtrib.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=95
Chandler city council pay
by BillRichardson » October 16, 2010 6:47 am
A Chandler City Councilperson gets $20,000 per year for a part-time job that requires attendance at a council meeting and a study session. For ten hours a week, if that, a councilperson in Chandler is paid generously. It works out to over $38.00 an hour to be a volunteer who wants to serve the community. Beyond the pay the elected official also gets a retirement courtesy of the taxpayers. Elected official retirement in Arizona is extremely generous with our money. And with that pension comes healthcare benefits. Right now city's are paying around 30% on top of an elected official's salary to pay for the pension they get after serving five years and turning 60. So it's not just what they make now, its what costs local taxpayers for many, many years. Outgoing Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn is looking at pension of 64% of his mayor's salary for the rest of his life.
Chandler Council candidate Donna Wallace has a legitimate concern when she speaks about council salaries and the current council giving themselves a raise. It's our money and when the city can't keep its obligations to employees and citizens, its not the time to give yourself a raise. Being a councilperson isn't supposed to be about making money and getting a cushy pension, its about volunteering to serve the community you live in.
City Council Member Annual Pay Population
1. Scottsdale $18,000 239,000
2. Mesa $18,600 471,000
3. Chandler $20,000 256,000
4. Gilbert $21,000 231,000
5. Tempe $27,747 177,000
City Mayor’s Annual Pay
1. Scottsdale $36,000
2. Chandler $36,000
3. Mesa $37,200
4. Gilbert $37,800
5. Tempe $54,400
BillRichardson
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Joined: August 5, 2010 7:03 pm