Rosalia challengers seek to end pay for council

A trio of candidates for Rosalia Town Council asked the current council to eliminate pay for positions one, three and five at Tuesday night’s council meeting. Members of the Rosalia council receive $100 compensation for each meeting.

“We are aware of the current financial problems and feel this would help,” said candidate Karen Rockness. “It would save the city approximately $7,200 per year.”

Council members at Tuesday’s meeting said they would consider the proposal, but took no further action.

Rockness is up against Erin Braun for the position five seat being vacated by Jim Stenhouse. Stenhouse is campaigning against Brady Kiesz for mayor.

Joining Rockness in the request were Pat Voge and Danette Merritt. Voge is challenging incumbent Dan Brown for the position three seat, and Merritt is up against position one incumbent Ron Hilfiker.

Elected officials cannot adjust pay levels for seats they hold while in office, according to county elections supervisor Debbie Hooper. That means changes for the three seats on the Rosalia ballot would have to be done before they begin a new term of office next year.

Council members can, however, decide to voluntarily give back their wages. Garfield Mayor Jarrod Pfaff vowed to return his salary to the town earlier this year.

The Rosalia challengers said they would consider voluntarily giving up the pay.