CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PAY INCREASE.

Byline: Terry Kanakri Daily News Staff Writer

The City Council will consider giving itself and future members a pay increase to reflect the work and increased expenses of serving on the council, officials said Friday.

Simi Valley's monthly compensation of council members is already the highest in east Ventura County. Council members may raise their monthly stipends by up to 10 percent, in addition to increasing their monthly expense allowances.

``I think we're entitled to have an increase,'' Councilwoman Barbara Williamson said. ``In the four years that I've sat on the council, I've only received one, so I don't think we've overstepped our boundaries.''

Council members Williamson, Bill Davis, Paul Miller, Sandi Webb and Mayor Greg Stratton each are paid $739.20 per month through the general fund, officials said. In addition, council members receive an additional $252 monthly expense allowance.

Mayor Stratton receives a $313.60 monthly expense allowance because his title requires him to perform additional duties.

In Thousand Oaks, council members receive $750 per month, and a $150 expense allowance, officials said.

In Moorpark, council members are paid $300 per month and have no guaranteed expense allowance.

In addition to getting paid, Simi Valley City Council members receive retirement benefits, as well as health, vision and dental insurance from the city, Assistant City Manager Laura Herron said. They also are provided with car phones.

The City Council is authorized by law to increase its stipends by 10 percent, and there is no limit on how much their monthly expense allowances can be raised, said Herron.

``The way the law reads, it allows the council to set their own salaries, but within some very restricted guidelines,'' she said. ``The law provides a protection.''

The City Council last raised its monthly stipends September 1994, increasing them by 12 percent from $660 to $739.20. Expense allowances for council members also increased by 12 percent from $225 to $252. Mayor Stratton's expense allowance increased from $280 to $313.60.

In all cases, the adjustments took effect in November 1994.

The City Council will discuss raising its pay during a 6:30 p.m. meeting Monday at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. If approved, the increases will take effect in November.

Resident Teresa Jordan, a City Council watcher, questioned the council members' intent to raise their pay at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet.

``I'd say cut back on the perks and settle on the salaries that you've got,'' she said. ``I appreciate their volunteer work and all that, but that's what serving the public is all about. Where's your heart? Is it with your money, or is it with serving your constituents?''

Another City Council watcher, Fred Harrison, said the elected officials deserve to be rewarded for their efforts, however.

``I think they work a lot more hours, and I think they're entitled to an increase,'' he said. ``I know how hard they work. But I'd like for them not to go overboard.''

Williamson said council members deserve to be compensated fairly.

``I have not heard of one constituent coming forward and saying, you guys are making too much money, and we want it to stop,'' she said. ``In my opinion, what this (proposed pay increase) does is it helps us defray the cost of doing things on behalf of our constituents.''