Folsom City Council members could finalize a proposal Tuesday that would more than triple their salaries.
The proposal would raise council members’ pay to $22,800 a year from $7,200. If approved, the net budget impact was $78,000 annually, according to the April 14 City Council meeting packet.
Folsom City Council members approved the increase 3-2 at a March 24 first reading, and Tuesday’s vote was expected to finalize the change. If approved, the wage increase would take effect when winners of the November election were sworn in. Councilmembers Sarah Aquino and Barbara Leary voted against the salary increase on March 24.
During the March 24 meeting, Mayor Justin Raithel spoke in favor of the increase, according to previous Bee reporting, saying it could entice more candidates to run in the upcoming election.
“Who do we want to step up and run for council in the future I think is what this is about,” Raithel said during the March 24 council meeting. “Who do we want to step up and fill this role in the years ahead?”
Leary voted against the salary increase March 24 because she said the funds could go toward other services, according to previous Bee reporting.
“We have to do some things like make sure that … public safety is up to par for our region, that we’re able to keep the things that brought all the people here to Folsom functioning and intact,” Leary said.
Tuesday’s council member salary vote was placed on the consent agenda, meaning it would be considered with other items at the start of the meeting. It could be pulled for discussion. The meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 50 Natoma St.
Related Stories from Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee
Corey Schmidt is a watchdog reporter for the Sacramento Bee, focusing on Folsom, El Dorado Hills and Sacramento County’s eastern suburbs. Previously, he was the government watchdog reporter for the St. Cloud Times in Minnesota. Schmidt received his bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago and his master’s degree from Yale University.