North Las Vegas City Council OKs salary increases

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2000 | 11:45 a.m.

After an intense and heated public forum of angry residents, the North Las Vegas City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday night that will increase future mayor and City Council salaries by $16,000 annually.

One resident called the ordinance a charade, and others threatened the council members that if they voted in favor, they would not gain the residents' vote for re-election.

The item passed 4-1, with Councilman William Robinson casting the lone vote against the ordinance. A second ordinance, which passed unanimously, will increase the future Municipal Court judge's salary by $22,000 annually. The ordinances will go into effect after the 2001 election.

Mayor Michael Montandon, Municipal Judge Warren Van Landschoot and Council members John Rhodes and Stephanie Smith would be the first to feel the effect of a raise if they are re-elected. Their terms end June 30, 2001.

Robinson and Councilwoman Shari Buck are serving terms that end in 2003.

Resident Steve Burkstrom told the council that rather than asking for a raise, they should consider themselves public servants, much like Boy Scout leaders, PTA members or coaches who do not earn salaries.

"I am appalled that you would even consider a salary increase," he said.

Currently, Montandon earns an annual salary of $23,500, and City Council members net $18,500.

The ordinance will increase the future mayor's annual salary to $39,500 -- and the council salaries will more than double -- to $34,500. The Municipal Court pay would be set at $90,000 -- up from $68,000.

Council members will also receive car allowances of $500 per month, and the mayor will receive a monthly allowance of $600.

Montandon said that while the salary increase was greater than a typical cost of living increase, the council's workloads have risen just as much.

"I will support this, and if it means that I am not the next mayor because of an overwhelming tide of people campaigning against me, then I hope the next mayor can survive this difficult issue," he said.