Former City Councilman Bills City $15,000 for "Unpaid Wages"

Former Newport City Councilor Michael T. Farley developed a reputation for being bold and brash from his seat behind the dais, unafraid to speak his mind or challenge other public officials during his two-year term from 2012 to 2014.

Now, Farley is demanding the city pay him $15,540 in what he says are unpaid wages for his time on the council, plus costs.

Farley filed a nonpayment of wages complaint with the state Department of Labor last month.

The claim, which has been distributed to members of the City Council, states that Farley worked 1,296 hours as a councilor in 2013 and 1,187 hours in 2014 and he calculated that he is owed the money based on his calculations using the state’s minimum wage in 2013 and 2014.

Councilors receive a stipend of $2,000 per year and Farley said that based on that figure, he was paid less than $2 per hour each year. He calculated the difference between the minimum wage and his compensation to come to the $15,540 figure.

Farley said that he filed the complaint after meetings with city officials in December, which is when he first requested the wages. He also claimed that the city does not keep records of hours for council members, which he said is against the law.

He also noted that he did not include hours spent on the campaign trail or ceremonial duties.

According to the claim, Farley said he was rebuffed by city officials on the grounds that local ordinances make no mention of minimum wage, the city paid $16,932 for his health insurance plan and council wages are exempt from federal and state minimum wage laws.

Farley did not return a phone call or text message seeking comment.

City Council members received a copy of the claim and notification from the state that an investigation was forthcoming.

Historically, locally elected officials do not collect hourly wages. Most communities in Rhode Island pay council members a flat monthly or annual stipend.