The City Council is forging ahead with an effort to give itself raises — even as the Big Apple scrambles to close an apparent $5.4 billion budget gap.
A bill expected to pass Tuesday will establish a commission that’ll determine if pay bumps are in order for the mayor, public advocate, comptroller, borough presidents, council members and district attorneys this year.
The commission will meet every four years, under the legislation, Int. 502B sponsored by Deputy Council Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams, a Queens Democrat.
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An earlier iteration of Williams’ bill sought to increase council members’ salaries by 16%, bringing their yearly compensation to $172,500.
The move comes as Mayor Zohran Mamdani has warned that the city faces a massive fiscal gap — and threatened he’ll be force to increase property taxes by a staggering 9.5% to close it if Albany lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul don’t agree to his “tax the rich” scheme.
The Council also released a report on Tuesday suggesting that some vacant city jobs should be eliminated to aid in shrinking the deficit.
According to Williams’ current legislation, the commission would make its recommendations within 75 days of convening.
The mayor could then approve, disapprove or modify the suggestion — though it would not be required.