A divided Charleston City Council voted to pass pay raises for the incoming mayor, council and municipal court judge on Monday.
A bill to increase compensation for council members from $200 to $250 per meeting attended passed with 15 voting for and 10 against.
Councilwoman Shannon Snodgrass, representing Ward 11, has been a vocal opponent of any of the proposed raises.
"Some of our meetings last 15 minutes. We didn't sign up to make money, this is not a road to riches," Snodgrass said.
She noted that in addition to meeting compensation, city council members are eligible for full benefits under the city's health care plan, and are also entitled to pension benefits.
"I think it's more than just what we're getting paid per meeting - I think it's well compensated for," she said.
Other council members noted that the raise is important for some people who may be otherwise deterred from running for local office.
Councilwoman-at-large Becky Ceperley said there are single parents who have to find babysitters so they can attend meetings twice a month, as well as other committee meetings that are generally scheduled on an as-needed basis. She said people who care for an elderly relative or similar responsibilities face similar obstacles.
"I think it's our duty to allow all the residents who want to partake in this public service, have a shot at doing it," Ceperley said. "This small raise will help offset that cost and broaden the pool of governance for the city."
Ward 6 Councilman Ed Talkington said he compared compensation for council members as far back as 1983, when they made $115 per meeting attended. That amount wasn't increased to $200 until 2007, he said.
Ward 4 Councilman Rev. James Ealy said he won't be running for reelection in 2018, but voted in favor of the bill because his successor may need it.
Council voted to amend another bill that would increase the incoming mayor's annual salary from $100,000 to $125,000. Councilman-at-large Chuck Overstreet proposed an amendment to remove language from the bill that called for an automatic increase to the mayor's salary in 2023, up to $150,000. The amendment passed 16-9.
Following the amendment, the bill to increase the mayor's salary passed 22-3.
A third bill passed 22-3 to increase compensation for the municipal court judge from $35,000 to $40,000 per year. That position is part time.
All the approved raises will go into effect in January 2019.
Also on Monday, council voted to:
n Approve the settlement of pending litigation with Louis and Joyce Farris against the City of Charleston in the amount of $75,000, stemming from a 2014 traffic crash involving a city fire truck.
n Approve the settlement of pending litigation with Judith King against the city in the amount of $78,795 and making retiree health benefits available to the plaintiff.
n Approve a landfill gas lease agreement with Tallarico LLC.
n Amend the current Community Development Block Grant budget to direct unprogrammed funds to the Charleston Kanawha Housing Authority for community gardens and fencing at Orchard Manor and Littlepage Terrace.
n Enter into an agreement with William Shriver Architects in the amount up to $84,000 for planning and design services related to building a new fire station on Oakwood Road.
n Approve a proposal by Matheny Motors in the amount of $118,000 to purchase two 2017 Ford 550s to be used as stake body dump trucks for the Refuse Department.
Reach Elaina Sauber at elaina.sauber@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-3051 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.