The Salt Lake City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to increase each member’s part-time salary from $26,291 a year to $35,925 starting at the beginning of next year.
The increase is the first beyond yearly annual cost-of-living increases in 37 years and was promoted by council members as a way to ensure people from across the economic spectrum are represented on the body.
“This is entry-level elected office,” said Council Chairwoman Erin Mendenhall before casting a vote in support of the pay increase. “Every single person in my district should have the opportunity to serve here without it costing their family.