Cape Coral city leaders are set to gather and discuss potential pay raises for themselves.
This topic has sparked interest and controversy, as the last council faced backlash for granting itself significant stipends after assuming control of the Community Redevelopment Agency. The contentious issue was the leading factor in the election of new members.
One of the promises made by the current council members was to eliminate those stipends, which they successfully did. Now, they are considering raises for themselves and the mayor.
The Cape Coral Charter Review Commission brought forward the proposal for pay raises. The council has been discussing this openly for the past month.
However, the topic of money and the city council remains a sensitive issue, with residents expressing skepticism.
“Are they doing that much more now that justifies that much more money, or is it just they want the money?” said Stephanie Rochelle of Cape Coral. “The economy is not what it was two or three years ago, and people aren’t pulling in the same kind of money.”
Douglas Decker, another Cape Coral resident, shared a similar sentiment. “It should be done by another party, not by themselves. I wish we could vote for ourselves for a raise. Wouldn’t that be nice?” said Decker.
Currently, Cape Coral council members earn $32,600 annually, while the mayor’s salary is $36,600 per year.
If approved, the new salaries would more than double in value. Council members would receive $70,000 each year, and the mayor would earn $80,000.
The council will discuss these potential raises in a special meeting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Any decision to move forward with the pay increase would require an approved ordinance, which includes a public hearing, public comment, and a six-vote majority from the council.
Any approved increases would not take effect until after the next general election.