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The 19 candidates who ran this year for Tampa City Council voiced many admirable goals. Raising their own pay wasn't among them. Now several who won believe their time is worth more than the $29,000 annually the job pays.
There is nothing inherently wrong with elected officials adjusting their own salary levels from time to time. For those who do it right, public service is a demanding job that requires continuous sacrifice. The people we elect deserve fair compensation, to recognize both the hours they work and the magnitude of the decisions they face.
But the plan by Kevin White, supported by other council members, is indefensible.
Comparing Tampa's pay with that of other cities is meaningless. There is no way to benchmark the value of council work. Populations and budgets are easy to compare, but cities have their own unique geographies, problems and political constituencies.
Being a council member in Tampa is not transferable beyond the city. It's not like the engineer who is offered more money in Houston or Atlanta. The market-rate argument is a false approach, because local councils don't compete.
The increase would cost taxpayers $187,600 over the four-year term of the full council, but the real issue here is whether the salary is an impediment or instead an attractor to sweeten. If members are surprised by the workload, they should have done a better job as candidates preparing for the responsibility. If they genuinely think the pay is too low, they should consider an increase that comes into effect only after the next election.