by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleaders.com
St. Joseph City Council members will consider changes to council members’ wages Nov. 1, a discussion that always comes up during election years.
St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens said staff asks the council if they want to make changes during this time because changes have to be made before an election. If not, there is a two-year-wait, Weyrens said. Election Day is Nov. 6.
In St. Joseph, city-council officials receive a monthly payment and a meeting fee per meeting. Mayor Rick Schultz gets $524 monthly, and council members are paid $314 monthly, according to city documents. All are paid $35 per meeting in addition to the monthly salary.
Other neighboring cities also pay elected officials monthly but do not have a per meeting rate. Sartell Mayor Joe Perske is paid $625 per month, and Sartell City Council members are paid $433 monthly.
Waite Park City Council members are paid $300 per month. Waite Park Mayor Rick Miller is paid $600 per month.
Sauk Rapids officials are paid $475 monthly with Sauk Rapids Mayor Dave Saunders receiving $665 monthly.
St. Joseph council member Steve Frank suggested making a switch to a yearly salary to make accounting easier. City council members will make a decision at their next council meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at St. Joseph City Hall.