LA HABRA : Council Salaries Raised to $400

Monthly earnings for La Habra City Council members will increase from $300 to $400 in December as the result of a 3-2 vote this week.

State guidelines would have permitted an increase to $420. In voting against the measure, Councilmen John C. Holmberg and William D. Mahoney said they could not support increases of more than $25 to $50.

On March 6, Holmberg accused his fellow council members of “arrogance” for considering a salary hike for the council ahead of other expenditures. He suggested that action be delayed until the council considers the 1990-91 city budget.

This week, Holmberg repeated a challenge to his colleagues to prove that their out-of-pocket expenses for serving on the council exceed the current $300 monthly stipend.

Holmberg pointed to additional payments made to council members for their service on the La Habra Redevelopment Agency and for participation in other agencies.

“I just don’t think we should throw the budgetary process out the window to pad our salaries,” Holmberg concluded.

Councilmen Douglas Bystry and James Flora spoke in favor of the increase, as did Mayor Beth Graham. Graham cited the state guidelines and said the early action was preferable to handling the matter during budget considerations. “I think we’re being up front about it,” she said.

According to a report by City Manager Lee Risner, the current $300 salary was established in 1982. Council members receive $30 for each meeting of the Redevelopment Agency.