Othello mayor, council get pay increases

OTHELLO - Othello's mayor and councilmembers received pay increases following the decision of a newly formed committee.

The independent salary review commission reported the increases to the city council during a recent meeting. The mayor is receiving a $250 pay increase, making his salary $750 a month. Councilmembers received a minimum increase of $50 a month and receive $25 per committee meeting for four committee meetings. The change makes councilmembers salaries between $300 and $400 a month.

The pay increases go into effect immediately, according to city records.

The council approved forming the commission in March. Mayor Tim Wilson learned about the state law allowing the commission after learning Quincy has a similar system.

The five-person commission is made up of city residents, according to the ordinance. None of the people are a city officer, official or employee.

Leonard Lyons, the presiding commission member, said the commission met twice. Members examined what six similarly-sized cities paid mayors and councilmembers.

Lyons didn't say what cities the commission reviewed.

"A record was given to us that indicated that the last council (and) mayor compensation change was made in the year 1995," he said. "It should be noted that no commission members communicated with any of you during this process."

The commission is required to meet once a year, and plans to meet again before the city starts working on its budget, Lyons said.

"We spent quite a bit of time talking about that community service, and what that means. There is probably no way to fairly compensate those who give of their time," he said. "Certainly many of the cities do not compensate in any way financially, but as we looked at not only current service, but future service, as the city changes and grows, we established (the pay changes.)"