Members of City Council continue to enjoy automatic pay raises despite one member’s efforts to make them cast a public vote when they want more money.
Council Member Rory Diamond lost, narrowly, in an attempt to force a vote recently but has vowed to continue his effort.
The members apparently are tied to a state law that automatically increases their pay. They have the option to decline any increase.
For years, their pay increase averaged about 3 percent a year. When the 2008 recession hit, they kept it the same for a couple of years, by stipulating the amount in the budget, and then actually reduced it by 2 percent in 2011.
Afterward it was kept at the same level until 2018 when members took a 4.56 percent increase. For the next two years it was less than 1 percent each year but this year it took a 4.6 percent jump
Sixteen council members are paid $52,276.56.
Council President Tommy Hazouri gets $69,702 because of his position.
Council Member Matt Carlucci has declined some raises and is paid $49,974.
Council Member Al Ferraro also has declined some raises and his current salary is $44,100.
Both Carlucci and Ferraro are running for mayor in 2023.
Diamond told Eye on Jacksonville he donated his last raise to charity.
Members of Congress also get automatic pay raises, which precludes them from having to cast a vote to raise their pay. Florida legislators must vote to raise their pay and currently get $29,697 per year plus $152 for every day they are in session.
Serving on the Jacksonville City Council is a part-time job. The median earnings for all workers (full- and part-time) in 2018 was $40,247, according to USA Facts.
