Henderson council, mayor to get raises

The Henderson City Council took the last step in ensuring that its members would be compensated at a rate closer to that of their Las Vegas counterparts Tuesday night.

The council unanimously passed Bill No. 1489 to increase the salaries of the four council members as well as the mayor. ONone of the current council members will receive any added compensation unless re-elected.

Under state law and city charter, the mayor and City Council may not vote for pay increases which would take effect during the sitting members' terms of office.

"We are looking toward the future with this act," Councilwoman Amanda M. Cyphers said. "When you have a reasonable salary for a job then you'll see more people apply and that's what we need."

According to Cyphers the raise was a necessary adjustment when one compares the salaries of the Las Vegas and Henderson councils.

A Las Vegas councilman makes $36,408 a year while a Henderson councilman makes $22,324. The Las Vegas mayor receives $47,831 annually and the Henderson mayor makes $26,163.

Under the new bill, Henderson council members will make $34,250 starting in 1999 and the mayor will get bumped up to $42,250 by 2001.

In 1999 three council positions are up for election while the mayor and the fourth council seat do not come up for election until 2001.

"It's a responsible and reasonable increase," Cyphers said. "The idea originally came from personnel, but it was time."

The last compensation adjustment for the council occurred in 1993.

According to the council the increase will accomplish four goals. It will create parity of compensation, provide standard annual cost of living increases, create a compensation level for future terms commensurate to the third largest government in Southern Nevada and ensure compensation in line with official duties and responsibilities.

Since the last pay increase in 1993, Henderson has grown at an average clip of 10.89 percent a year or 67.37 percent for the six-year period.

"With the growth of the community, the increase is vital when you consider the amount of work that these positions require," Cyphers said. "We don't do this for the money, but without reasonable compensation many would not consider taking the job."

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