CITY Council approves pay hikes for mayor and themselves

Tulsa's Mayor and city councilors will be getting more money next year. The mayor's salary will go up more than $30,000, increasing from $70,000 a year to $105,000.<br><br>City Councilors will

Friday, August 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's Mayor and city councilors will be getting more money next year. The mayor's salary will go up more than $30,000, increasing from $70,000 a year to $105,000.

City Councilors will get a $6,000 raise, and make $18,000. Councilor Sam Roop initiated the move for raises after a study showed Tulsa was far behind comparable cities. Roop says he doesn't believe Tulsa residents want to be "average" or "dead last" in city salaries. The original proposal called for much larger raises.

Most people KOTV talked with say they did not object to the proposed pay raises, just the proposed amount. City councilor Art Justis, "I felt that the $27,000 salary for the council - even though I know how much time it takes and this type of thing - I think it was just arrogant." Randy Bertwell with Concerned Citizens of Tulsa: "That's better - it's a step in the right direction. It shows they can at least listen to a few people and at least make a better decision that way, but still they didn't go to the community and ask."

The raises go into effect April 1st of next year, when a new council is sworn in.