Mayor Sarno Issues Statement on City Council Pay Raises Vote

“The pay raises voted on and passed by the City Council are not fiscally responsible or justified. A $10,000 raise is more than 50% than their own study committee recommended. This is a time when we are making every effort to be fiscally responsible and hold the line on city employee contracts, which average about a 2% increase a year, is very difficult to justify this exorbitant raise. We must keep in mind that we are public servants and City Councilors serve in a part time capacity. Our number one responsibility is to the taxpayers of Springfield. At this time, I cannot accept in good conscience a one-time $25,000 pay raise, when our employees and taxpayers struggle to make ends meet,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.