The Cedar Falls City Council has proposed a raise to nearly double their own pay beginning next year, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Members of the council are currently paid just shy of $7,000 a year, but Council Member Daryl Kruse has suggested a salary of $12,000, which he says is the average salary for council members in the 15 most populated cities in Iowa. That number could rise as well according to the consumer price index. Those in favor argued the salary should not be so low that it makes people hesitant to run for council. They noted some council members can lose income when they step away from their full-time jobs to fulfill duties of the council. Dave Sires and Susan deBuhr voted against the raise. Sires, who says he donates his council pay, says the job should not come with the expectation of getting paid. An ordinance will come before the council later this year and must pass three readings by November to take effect next year.
