South Lake Tahoe council salaries to double

For the first time since 1998, South Lake Tahoe City Council members are receiving a raise.

The five current members voted themselves a raise Jan. 20. The pay goes from $452 a month to $946. If they work 20 hours a week, this comes to less than $12 an hour.

The state dictates how much the salary may go up – 5 percent per year. Going forward the council will bring this to a vote every two years instead of waiting so long. Raises may only be given after a new council member is seated — another state rule.

The annual cost per council member will be $8,358. This includes workers’ comp, CalPERS, Medicare and the like. The cost to taxpayers is $41,790 for the five.

In their discussions all five hope this bump in pay will help attract younger, full-time workers in the future who might now be able to afford to take a day or two off work for council commitments.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report