Because it's always tough, politically, for elected officials to vote themselves a pay raise, members of the Rochester City Council are considering a plan that would have a citizens' commission do it for them.
This week the council asked the city attorney to draw up a proposed ordinance for the commission. The council is expected to discuss the idea on July 1.
The Minnesota Legislature was in the same position this past session. Fearing that raising their own pay during tough economic times would be a tough sell to voters, legislators agreed to put a constitutional amendment on the statewide 2016 ballot that would create a legislative pay commission to set their salaries.
In Rochester, Council President Randy Staver suggested the commission idea, says the Rochester Post-Bulletin, because the council has been reluctant to raise its own pay.
Bob Nowicki, serving as a temporary council member, liked the idea:
"There's always been sensitivity to elected officials setting their own salaries ... it's about appearances. We've hesitated from giving raises, and I don't think that's right."
The council voted 5-2 to move forward on the issue. Ed Hruska and Bruce Snyder were the two no votes.
Said the paper:
Snyder said he didn't see a need for a new group because the council does a thorough job of studying the city budget and making appropriate decisions on salaries.
"I think we set a reasonable salary. I'd hate to see this become a career path," he said.
Hruska said he didn't see a problem with the fact that the current council has voted against every pay raise it has considered, including the 1.75 percent increase proposed for this year's budget. He said the council continues to attract a good variety of candidates.