l Salt Lake City: $20,947

l West Valley City: $16,200

l Murray: $12,870

l Ogden: $8,589

l Provo: $12,000 (up from $9,576)

l Orem: $9,576

Figures don't include other benefits or reimbursements

PROVO - Feeling overworked and underpaid? Give yourself a raise.

That's what Provo's part-time City Council members did this week, boosting their yearly salary more than 25 percent.

Now they will make $12,000 a year - up from $9,576 - a figure Council Chairman George Stewart said compares more favorably with other Utah cities.

But the pay hike has sparked a stir among city employees, according to Mayor Lewis Billings.

“The buzz around the city is: If the council wants to raise their salary 25 percent, then we should get a raise, too,” Billings said.

Stewart, a former Provo mayor, and other council members maintain the council bump is about fairness, not funds.

Their counterparts in Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Sandy and Murray make more. Even council members in smaller cities - South Salt Lake, South Jordan and West Jordan - pocketed more than Provo's council until the raise.

“If other cities recognize the contributions [of the Council], I think Provo should,” Stewart said. “I have a hard time believing city employees really think that way” - that they should get a similar salary increase.

Still, two council members voted against fatter paychecks.

“I don't think it's good public policy for anyone in government to give themselves a raise,” Councilman Steve Turley said. “I don't think the taxpayers are going to get any more service out of any one of us by paying us more money.”

For her part, Councilwoman Midge Johnson said she actually backs the raise. She just balks at the way it is done.

“I have a little problem voting myself a raise,” she said. “A little oversight would make you feel a little more comfortable. Maybe there is a better way policywise.”

Billings suggested a process that would include an outside review and implementation of raises after the next election.

Provo residents land on both sides of the issue.

“I was surprised you make money here,” Phil Davis said. “I honestly thought this was a volunteer [job].”

But Kurt Peterson said he had no problem with the salary hike: “I value your work far more than what you're receiving in compensation."

thollingshead@sltrib.com