Largo City Commissioners Vote 4% Pay Raise for ThemselvesBy Bill LopezLARGO - In a commission meeting Tuesday, Mayor Patricia S. Gerard presented an ordinance to the Largo City Commission meeting that would increase the rate of pay for commissioners and the mayor by 4%. On its first reading, the ordinance was passed by a vote of 6 to 1 with a second reading scheduled for September 16. The mayor and city commission review their annual compensation each year to determine whether an increase is desired and/or warranted. The city charter provides that compensation is established by ordinance and may not be increased more than ten percent (10%) per year. The city commission approved a seven percent (7%) increase in FY 2003, none for FY 2004, three percent (3%) increase in FY 2005, none for FY 2006, four percent (4%) increase in FY 2007 and none for FY 2008. The Mayor and City Commission are paid on a biweekly payroll cycle. The salary increase has an effective date of October 1 that coincides with the beginning of the new fiscal year. The increase will bring the weekly compensation to $379 for the mayor and $352 for each commissioner. In total, the compensation comes to $98,500 for the mayor and city commission salaries for fiscal 2009. In its last meeting, the commission voted to increase the salary of the city manager to $3,159 per week, also a 4% increase. Contact Bill Lopez at blopezmmm@aol.com.
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