Salaries Nearly Double For Ocean City Mayor And Council

OCEAN CITY, NJ — For the first time since 2010, Ocean City's governing body is getting a pay increase.

City Council voted unanimously at Thursday's meeting to raise their own salaries and the mayor's salary, nearly doubling the amount they make.

The newly adopted ordinance sets the mayor's maximum annual base salary at $40,000 and the council's at $20,000. Previously, the mayor earned $20,600 and council $10,300, which was set in 2010.

Ocean City officials assured residents that this decision was not made in haste and would not be more than the city could afford.

"We do not spend your money unwisely," said Mayor Jay Gillian.

"Those numbers are supported by hardcore government data," said new Councilman Dave Winslow, who said he has done hundreds of salary surveys during his career in human resources and conducted an independent study for Ocean City.

Previously, the ordinance set raises to increase at the same percentage as provided by collective bargaining agreements between Ocean City and city employees represented by the CWA, the Policemen's Benevolent Association and the International Association of Firefighters.

But to avoid any sort of conflict of interest, raises shall now increase by the regional consumer price index (CPI) for wage earners.

Some residents spoke to voice their agreement with the raises, some said they agreed with the fact a raise was necessary but disagreed with the amount.

"I disagree with the ordinance because the pay increase is not enough," said one resident.

"Ocean City is not a poor town," noted resident Marie Hayes, who said that the island could certainly afford an increase.

"It's very hard to give yourself a raise," said Councilwoman Karen Bergman. "It's humbling, in a way."