Napier city councillors set to vote on pay rise

Napier city councillors will vote on their pay rise at the council meeting tomorrow. Photo / File

Napier city councillors are due to vote on their own pay rise at the next council meeting, but Mayor Bill Dalton says they are not in it for the money.

"At the end of the day I'm not in it for the money, I'm in it to serve my city," Dalton said.

Dalton will be getting a pay rise of about 0.73 per cent, with the councillors earning about 6.19 per cent more.

Dalton said councillors were put in a tough position when they join the council, as council hours make it difficult to have a second job.

"They're probably earning quite good money for the work they do, but it's not a good salary," Dalton said.

"For many of them it's their only income and it's not particularly good."

"You wouldn't go into local government for the money, I can tell you that."

Councillor Keith Price said council has a time commitment which is hard to understand until you are on the council.

"Council is an all-encompassing professional and personal role that the time commitment is hard to gauge before you do it," Price said.

"I'm not on council for the wage."

Currently Napier city councillors make $39,938 per annum, and that is set to rise to $42,413 p.a.

The mayor currently makes $130,556 p.a, and this will rise to $131,514.

The Remuneration Authority sets salaries for councils across the country.

However, the council is required to vote on any changes the Remuneration Authority suggests.

Remuneration is set based on the size of the local authority.

Napier City Council will vote on the matter tomorrow.