CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW): Charlottesville City Council discussed the possibility of raising their own pay last night.  A new law allows Virginia’s city councilors to raise their pay significantly. 

The motion entails a raise from $18,000 to $34,000 for anyone looking to serve on the city council.  There would also be a raise on the cards for mayoral salaries, from $20,000 to $37,000 a year.    Charlottesville Mayor Juan Diego Wade presented the motion and voiced his support for it when the vote comes in two weeks.   

 Wade and Councilor Michael Payne were among those who supported the motion, much of the utility around it stems from the freedom it would for Charlottesville citizens of diverse financial means to be able to enter civil service where they would not before.   

 The dissenters of the motion, principally given voice by Councilor Lloyd Snook, do not seem to diametrically oppose a pay raise, their main issue is the size of the raise.  Snook suggested a mayoral raise from $20,000 to $22,500 as a counterproposal. 

 Charlottesville City Council will vote on the motion in two weeks.