City council discuss pay increases as 2021 budget expects cuts

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Come November, Yuma voters might get to decide if the city Mayor and council-members deserve a raise.

It was part of an agenda item asking for a special election, in November.

Council-members announced four recommended changes at Wednesday night's meeting.

The first, the Mayor and city council-members would be elected in accordance with state law instead of the current odd numbered years.

But thats not all, another change would be an increase of pay for the Mayor and council-members. The article describing - the pay structure would reflect the salary a Yuma County Board Supervisor currently makes. The Mayor’s compensation would increase by 60 percent of a Supervisor’s salary. Council-members would see an additional 30 percent pay increase based on a Supervisor's salary.

Public Affairs Coordinator, Dave Nash, confirming to us - the raises, totaling $150,000, would amount to only, three-fifths of one percent, of the total budget. Adding - even if this measure were to pass in an election, it could not and would not be implemented in the fiscal year budget currently under consideration by council.

Gary Wright, a former council-member, thinks this should be delayed until 2022.

“The focus should be on the budget and what’s best for the citizens of Yuma. This should be delayed until 2022 and voters should have more opportunity to review the recommendations from this charter review committee; but it seems like - it’s on a fast track and let’s hurry up and get it on the ballot," he said.

Another charter review committee change would increase the severance pay to six months of salary for the city administrator. The current charter provision limits severance pay to two months of salary.

We reached out to the City Administrator to ask why the raises and severance pay were added to the ordinance; we are waiting to hear back.