Sebastian council weighs pay raises for future members and mayor

SEBASTIAN — The Sebastian City Council is moving toward letting voters decide whether to raise salaries for future council members and the mayor.

The council gave unanimous approval May 26 to a package of charter amendments recommended by its Charter Review Committee. Two public hearings are set for June 24 and July 8. After the second hearing, the council will decide whether to place the changes on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The salary proposal would increase monthly pay for council members and the vice mayor from $300 to $600. The mayor’s pay would rise from $450 to $750 a month. Any increases would apply only to future officeholders and would be adjusted each year by the same percentage given to other city employees for cost-of-living raises. The changes would cost the city an additional $18,000 annually.

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Council members said the raises are aimed at future candidates, not the current council.

Council member Sherri Matthews said she is not serving for the pay but as a community member who wants to serve the city. Council member Christopher Nunn said the proposed salary increases are intended for future council members and the mayor, not the current ones.

Council member Ed Dodd said his monthly costs for gas and travel to meetings already exceed what he receives in salary.

The charter amendments also include several other changes.

One proposal would bar anyone convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving “moral turpitude or a breach of public trust” from seeking or holding local office. Dodd questioned how loosely “moral turpitude” could be interpreted and whether political opponents might try to use it against candidates.

Another change would extend the residency requirement for candidates from one year to two years.

The package would also eliminate the requirement for a special hearing before the council removes or suspends a member who misses three consecutive unexcused meetings, is convicted of certain crimes, violates the charter or no longer meets the qualifications to serve.

The proposals stem from the Charter Review Committee, which examines the city charter every five years.