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The Common Council Gets a Raise |
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Monday, 22 January 2007 |
While the Common Council was split, our Mayor, Larry Nelson, cast the tie-breaking vote to give them a scaled back raise. Article here.  Common Council President Carrol Waldenberger has proposed a 25% pay increase for himself and his fellow Aldermen from $6,000 to $7,500 annually.
The City of Waukesha has been the highest taxed municipality in the County for the past two years. In fact, in his October 2006 transmittal letter accompanying the 2007 Executive Budget, City Administrator Jim Payne stated that "the city is balanced on a very thin line." Yet when asked by Mayor Nelson about the financial implications of the raise Payne stated it "wouldn’t be a problem."
This year, growth in the City budget doubled the amount allowed by State property tax "freeze." In addition the debt levy has experienced double digit growth for the past two years. Perhaps the Common Council and Alderman Waldenberger should consider holding the line on taxes before padding their own wallets.
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