HOBART — Raises are expected for city employees and some elected officials next year, but the City Council won’t be among them.
The council recently adopted a series of ordinances on second reading to provide 2% raises for full-time civilian employees, police and firefighters. Council members also chose to give raises to some elected officials, but not themselves.
Mayor Brian Snedecor believes the members deserve more pay, and providing additional wages to the council would help to attract quality candidates in future elections.
“I think it’s a travesty to you as council members and also for future council members,” Snedecor said.
Providing a 2% salary increase to the council would cost Hobart $1,925 in 2022, which wouldn’t be a major impact to the budget, he said.
“You guys give up many, many hours throughout the year above and beyond these council meetings,” Snedecor said.
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Councilman David Vinzant said he views the council as a “volunteer position,” which is why he opposes council raises.
“It’s like belonging to any other sort of social organization,” he said.
Although the council pay won’t change, the council gave final approval to ordinances increasing employee salaries by a maximum of 2% in 2022.
As he did when the measures were considered on first reading, Councilman Chris Wells indicated he believes the city should pursue more employees instead of raises because departments are understaffed.
Councilman Josh Huddlestun said no raises were given this year, and the city could risk losing employees if no increases are given again. He also believes offering higher pay could help attract other people to the city when positions become available.
How much do mayors get paid in Northwest Indiana?
Jerome Prince

Gary
Mayor's salary 2020: $81,927.02
Gary Sanitary District salary 2020: $50,469.12
2020 population: 69,093
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Thomas McDermott Jr.

Hammond
Mayor's salary 2020: $87,550.06
Hammond Sanitary District salary 2020: $15,909.58
Water salary 2020: $15,903.60
2020 population: 77,879
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Steve Spebar

Whiting
Mayor's salary 2020: $80,177.78
2020 population: 4,559
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Anthony Copeland

East Chicago
Mayor's salary 2020: $62,884.38
Sanitary Wastewater Utility Executive Office salary 2020: $72,830.68
2020 population: 26,370
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Brian Snedecor

Hobart
Mayor's salary 2020: $86,599.46
2020 population: 29,752
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
David Uran

Crown Point
Mayor's salary 2020: $95,538.96
Wastewater Plant Board salary 2020: $6,250
2020 population: 33,899
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Bill Carroll

Lake Station
Mayor's salary 2020: $78,875
2020 population: 13,235
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Sue Lynch

Portage
Mayor's salary 2020: $85,271.73
2020 population: 37,926
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Remaining relevant a priority for Valparaiso

Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy
Duane Parry

Michigan City
Mayor's salary 2020: $79,409.72
2020 population: 32,075
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.
Tom Dermody

LaPorte
Mayor's salary 2020: $67,042
2020 population: 22,471
Source: 2020 Indiana Gateway employee compensation data, U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing, updated every 10 years.