PORT TOWNSEND – Citing a squeeze on city revenues, Port Townsend City Council members rejected proposed council salary raises that would have made them eligible for participation in the state retirement program.
The council opted for a private deferred compensation plan for council members – the ICMA retirement account – which does not require salary increases.
Instead the city contributes to the council member’s individual deferred compensation.
Councilman Frank Benskin offered the lone vote in support of the proposal, which would have boosted council members’ salaries from $500 a month to $742, and from $750 to $1,000 for the mayor, the minimum needed to qualify for the state retirement program.
Those voting against the raises, which would have amounted to $23,264 a year pulled from the city’s general fund, were Mayor Mark Welch and council members Catharine Robinson, George Randels and Laurie Medlicott.
The approved deferred compensation plan will cost the city $2,250 a year.
