Lake Worth leaders gets first raise in 12 years

Commissioners’ mayor’s salaries nearly double.

LAKE WORTH — Lake Worth commissioners are getting a raise.

The a nnual s a l a r y wil l increase from $14,400 to $24,500, while pay for the mayor’s position will jump from $15,400 to $29,500.

Commissioners, by a 3-1 vote on second reading at Tuesday’s meeting, approved the salary bump proposed last month by City Manager Michael Bornstein.

C o m m i s s i o n e r C h r i s McVoy was opposed. Commissioner Ryan Maier was absent.

It’s been 12 years since a Lake Worth cit y commis- sioner got a pay hike.

McVoy said it wasn’t justified.

“$210,000 going to five p e o p l e , ” h e s a i d . “T h a t seems like a big chunk. We’re not in this for the money or personal benefit.”

Commissioners also unanimously approved placing a charter referendum on the March general election ballot asking voters whether they want to extend commissioners’ terms from two to three years.

Candidates from Districts 1 and 3 will be for three-year terms starting March 2018. Candidates from Districts 2 and 4 will be for three-year terms beginning March 2019.

The ordinance would not extend the term for any current commissioner.

As for the raise, the city said it wanted the annual salaries to be on par with those paid in other municipalities.

City staff recently found t hat c ommissioners a nd the mayor in Riviera Beach earn $40,000 and $41,200, respectively. The salaries in Royal Palm Beach are $16,291 for commissioners and $16,411 for mayor. In Greenacres, it’s $11,100 for commissioners, $12,600 for mayor.

Commissioners and the mayor would also receive a $500 monthly car allowance and/or participation in the cit y’s 401(a) retirement plan.

Angel Alvarez said he’s i n f avo r of t he hi ke , but reminded commissioners that it comes with a price.

“We expect something in return,” Alvarez said. “And that’s to continue the progress.”

Former City Commissioner Jo-Ann Golden called the raise an “embarrassment” to taxpayers.

“There are many folks in this city who make minimum wage,” Golden said. “There are many more critical costs. This is uncalled for.”

Bornstein defended his decision.

“It is quite a sacrifice to do this position and it impacts your personal and your professional lives,” Bornstein said. “You shouldn’t have to be a martyr in this position.”