Published: November 18, 2009 09:51 am      

City councilmen’s pay discussed in Camanche

CAMANCHE — The Camanche City Council may consider raising compensation for elected council members, in light of new business discussed at Tuesday evening’s meeting.

Councilman Trevor Willis said, after serving four years, he feels council members put too much time and effort into their positions to be compensated only $50 a month.

“I don’t know when the last time city council compensation was raised,” said Willis. “I’m pretty sure if you check with other cities around here, they’re getting paid a lot more money.”

“It has nothing to do with me,” he added, referencing his ending term. “I’m on my way out.”

Willis said other cities of Camanche’s size allow more compensation for council members. He suggested possibly doubling the compensation.

Councilman Ken Fahlbeck said council members in nearby Low Moor are paid $50 a meeting. Most city councils meet twice a month.

Councilman Paul Varner expressed his support for raising compensation, but added he feels it’s not the right time do to so because of the sluggish economy.

Councilwoman Linda Kramer said she’s satisfied with the current compensation of $50 a month, and said she will never vote for an increase.

According to city officials at the meeting, city council compensation has been the same for several years, possibly since the 1990s. City Administrator Tom Roth said he would compare compensation among cities similar in size to Camanche, and would report on his findings at the next meeting Dec. 1.

In other action Tuesday night, the board approved installing 200 water meter registers, as part of a plan to update the city's meters to radio read meters.

City officials say the upgrade will pay for itself within 20 years, and will lower the city costs for gathering and entering data. The change also will decrease water theft, according to city officials.

The city plans to buy 350 water meters next year, and to complete the upgrade in the four years following.

The board also voted Tuesday to increase the size of the city’s historical society board from seven to nine members, and will swear in one of the new members Dec. 1.

City negotiations to hire a paramedic/firefighter are still ongoing. The board voted Tuesday to go ahead with an ordinance to establish ambulance service fees.