NATIONAL CITY GREEN LIGHTS CITY COUNCIL’S FIRST PAY RAISE SINCE 2017

National City council members last week approved their first pay raise since February 2017.

In a 4-1 vote, the City Council agreed to a 30 percent increase. The full-time mayoral post jumps from a base pay of $4,532 to $5,891 per month and part-time council positions from $1,189 to $1,546.

The City Council also receives benefits and about $350 per month in expense allowances and a $750 monthly car allowance for the mayor. No changes to benefits were made.

City staff said they will bring forward a proposed ordinance with the salary changes for the City Council to formally consider at a future date.

The 30 percent increase, the maximum allowed by law, will add about $36,500 of new expenditures to the city’s general fund, according to city staff.

For some on the dais, 30 percent was too high of a raise.

“I’m fearful of the backlash,” said Vice Mayor Luz Molina. She suggested her colleagues instead consider a 15 percent increase, but her motion failed to gain support.

Councilmember Marcus Bush said that when breaking down the new monthly salaries per hour, an increase is appropriate and timely.

“We’re paid part time,” he said. “Often, we’re not part time. The reality, and all of us on the dais know, that we work sometimes 40 (hours), sometimes 50, even more when you combine all committee assignments, all the readings and the research, the communications that have to be done, the events,” he said.

Councilmember Jose Rodriguez agreed.

“It isn’t an incredible amount when you break it down by numbers. The percentage is rather scary but it’s because we have in the past taken hard steps to join our community and not provide us wages in the first place,” he said.

On that note, Molina said she “felt good about (a 30 percent increase) because it does show that our time is valued and the work we are doing is important work.”

Morrison, however, disagreed. He cast the lone vote in opposition.

“I definitely think that there needs to be a raise, but I just can’t swallow this number. I’m sorry,” he said.

Prior to 2017, the National City Council received a pay hike in 2015.

The mayor’s salary was $4,120 and the council members’ $1,081.

Elsewhere in South County, Imperial Beach’s mayor earns $800 per month and council members $641. The Chula Vista mayor’s annual base pay is $152,500 and council members earn $61,000.