Burbank City Council Meeting Wrap-up

NO RAISES FOR COUNCIL

The council on Tuesday unanimously opted against raising its salaries, citing a tough budgeting process for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Council members earn monthly salaries of $1,074.99 and the 5% bump would have raised the salary to $1,128.74. However, because the council in 2008 passed up the opportunity to take a raise, members faced the decision of whether to take a 10% hike.

WHAT IT MEANS

Councilman Dave Golonski on the campaign trail proposed reducing council compensation by 5%. At Tuesday’s meeting, Councilman David Gordon favored a 5% to 10% salary increase, saying that fuel costs often cut significantly into council earnings.

CHAPTER 9 AUTONOMY

The City Council voted unanimously to oppose a state law that would require local agencies contemplating bankruptcy to seek approval from a state bankruptcy committee before filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

WHAT IT MEANS

Those opposed to the bill contend that allowing the state control of the decision to file for bankruptcy is senseless as the state itself has an abysmal credit rating.