Binghamton City Council Members Consider Pay Raise

Some Binghamton City Council members want to make more money.

A proposal is expected to be considered in upcoming weeks that would give council members their first raise in 26 years.

The incremental increases wouldn’t begin until 2016.

Council seats are up for election next year.

Members of Binghamton City Council make $7,000 a year and the proposal would raise that amount to a cap in 2019 of $10,000.

The idea was discussed at the council’s recent work session when, according to a report in the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, Councilwoman Teri Rennia acknowledged she supported the raise but it would not be popular.  She said she thinks “the general public has no clue what city council members do.”

Rennia is not eligible to run in 2015.

The legislation could come before council October 20.