Stuart city commissioners give themselves 55% raise.
Stuart city commissioners last month quietly gave themselves a 55 percent raise. The vote, at the city’s final budget hearing, was the first time a raise had been discussed during the nine-month budget-development process.
The raise bumps their salaries to $18,000, more than double the state average, according to a database of mayor and council salaries in more than 300 Florida cities, compiled by the city of Port St. Lucie.
The Stuart commission’s new salary is more than triple the average when compared to cities of similar population size, according to the Port St. Lucie data. Commissioner Tom Campenni, the dissenting vote in the 4-1 decision, described the commission’s actions as wrong.
Council salaries: Florida cities with populations 15,000-17,000
- Punta Gorda $8,000
- Belle Glade $15,400
- Safety Harbor: $4,800
- Maitland: $4,000
- Stuart: $18,000
- Lake Mary: $8,700
- Vero Beach: $10,800
- New Port Richey: $3,600
- Tavares: $5,700
- Lake Wales: $4,600
- Zephyrhills: : $6,000
Source: City of Port St. Lucie
