(KLZA)-- A Falls City Council member that will complete her term in December has proposed increasing the pay for the Mayor and City Council members in Falls City. 

 During Monday nights meeting, Second Ward Council representative Judy Murphy proposed increasing the salary for the Mayor from the current $3,600 annually or $300 per month to $5,400 annually or $450 per month.  She suggested the Council salaries be increased from $2,400 per year or $200 per month to $4,200 per month or $350 monthly.

Murphy presented comparisons in annual salary to the following communities:  
Waverly -  Mayor $8,000; Council salary $4,000
Cozad -    Mayor $6,000;  Council salary $4,800
Fairbury - Mayor $4,050  Council salary $2,700
Wahoo -    Mayor $4,000 Council salary $2,000
Auburn –   Mayor $3,600  Council salary $2,400
Aurora – beginning in December 2018 – Mayor $3,600 Council salary $1,200.   

While the compensation for the Mayor of four of the six communities was higher and the same in two others, the Council member compensation was higher in three communities, the same in one and less in two of the communities.

Of the six communities Murphy used for her survey,  only Fairbury also has an eight-member city council.  Three of the communities, Wahoo, Auburn and Aurora have six council members  while Waverly and Cozad have only four City Council members. 

The amount of the increase would add an additional $16,200 to the annual budget if approved.  The increase would require a change in statute and would have to pass three times.  

While none of the  Council members commented on the proposal,  an audience member who was attending for another agenda item did speak. Lonnie Blevins asked how the extra money for the pay increases would be raised an suggested the citizens should decide if the elected officials receive a pay increase. 

The proposal is expected to appear on the agenda for the August 20th Council meeting.