Ephrata staff declines raises

EPHRATA — Ephrata city staff members agreed to give up cost of living pay increases for 2010.

Mayor Chris Jacobson announced the agreement during the last city council meeting, adding he wouldn’t take his salary from being mayor.

The money is slated to pay for an additional police officer in 2010, City Administrator Wes Crago said.

“I would say it met with a very positive response,” Jacobson said. “And the two unions in question have to go back to their respective bodies to discuss that proposal.”

Councilmember Bruce Reim announced the city councilmembers are not taking their stipends for 2010 to help the city.

“We want to support our people for what they do because, number one, they’re under paid, number two, they deserve a raise and the economy’s really rough and we just feel that this small token of our appreciation can best be met by equaling what you (Jacobson) did,” he said.

Crago thanked the mayor and council for the action.