Pea Ridge city officials received a raise to bring their pay more in line with other cities in the area.
City Council members met Tuesday, Nov. 15, and approved paying City Council members $200 per meeting and Planning Commission members $175 per meeting attended.
"In reviewing our City Council pay," Bob Cottingham, councilman, said, "we are basically dead last. I feel like this may entice other people to get involved in city government ... I feel like we should be compensated to at least contemporary standards.
Pea Ridge City Council members earned $125 per meeting attended since 2012. From 2005 to 2011, council members were paid $100 per meeting and from 1983 to 2004, they earned $25 per meeting, according to city records.
The compensation for council members is considered annually along with the city's budget at the November meeting.
No one from the Planning Commission was present, but city officials said their pay should also be increased.
"They do a lot," Tony Townsend, building official, said. "They attend tech review meetings, look over plans at home, go out to sites to review."
General News on 11/23/2016