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Two Residents Appear For Public Meeting Discussing Raises For Detroit Elected Officials

DETROIT (WWJ) -- The Detroit Elected Officials Compensation Commission hosted the first of three public meetings on the topic of city officials receiving pay raises Monday night, where only two people attended for public comment.

One of citizens was 40-year city resident Betty Roberts who is opposed to the idea.

"I feel like it's an appalling insensitivity to consider raising our elected officials' salaries at this particular time," Roberts said. "I'm not saying that they don't deserve more money -- they may. But this is not the time to give it to them."

Despite the low public turnout, Compensation Commission Chairman Samuel "Buzz" Thomas said that many Detroit residents have sent emails in opposition to raises.

"I'm trying to avoid taking an opinion," Thomas said. "I can say that certainly we hear it, and I hear it."

With two more public hearings scheduled, the Compensation Commission has until mid-April to make its recommendation on the issue of pay raises to Detroit City Council.

Detroit exited municipal bankruptcy several months ago, and some city officials believe it's time for them their own financial reward. The city council last got a raise in 1999.

City Council President Brenda Jones and Clerk Janice Winfrey stood on March 4 in front the Detroit Elected Officials Compensation Commission and said they are overworked and underpaid.

Jones makes almost $77,000 a year, while Winfrey pulls down around $73,000. Both also have access to take-home city-owned cars.

Jones told the commission that elected officials haven't had a raise since 2001, and the last time their salaries were adjusted was in 2010 when they took a 10 percent pay cut.

The average Detroiter makes $26,000 a year.

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