Detroit City Council president, clerk want raise

DETROIT – The city of Detroit exited the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in the history of the United States just three months ago. Now, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones and City Clerk Janice Winfrey are petitioning the Detroit Elected Officials Compensation Commission for a raise.

Detroit's elected officials took a 10 percent pay cut in 2010, when the city's finances went into code red financial shape. Currently the salary is $73,181 a year plus a city-owned take-home car for Winfrey and the council.

Winfrey told Local 4 she doesn't believe her salary should be tied or equivalent with what City Council members make. She oversees a $13 million budget and a large department.

"I understand we're just coming out of bankruptcy; trust me, I get that. But if they could just restore the 10 percent, that would be helpful," Winfrey said.

Former Sen. Samuel Buzz Thomas III is the chairman of the commission. He told Local 4 the commission will consider the request.

"I was appointed to sit on the board by the city," he said. "It's a duty I take very seriously. We received this request on behalf of the clerk and the council and will look at it. We will need data from other cities of similar size and we will need to talk to the city's CFO. I anticipate being able to make a recommendation in about a month."

Mayor Mike Duggan is not asking for a raise. His administration said they will not weigh in on whether the request is appropriate but they will provide any documentation requested by the commission.

City Council President Brenda Jones did not immediately return our call.


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