(Michigan City, IN) - The mayor of Michigan City is offering to give up an increase in salary if it means higher wages for city employees.

 

This week, mayor Duane Parry told the Michigan City Common Council to remove his close to 50-percent increase in pay from the proposed 2022 budget if that's what it takes for city workers to get a raise. Parry's salary would go from nearly $80,000 to more than $118,000 under the current budget proposal.

 

He said some council members might vote against the budget containing a proposed increase in his salary simply because they don't like him personally. Therefore, Parry said removing his pay hike from the budget won't stand in the way of pay increases for city employees also contained in the proposed budget.

 

"The salary and wage adjustments are not about me as mayor. They're about every person working here now and those who work here in the future," Parry said.

Parry also thanked the previous administration for ordering a study that illustrated a dire need for higher pay.  The study revealed that city employees' wages are "toward of bottom" of municipal workers throughout the region.

 

The city council took the proposed budget under advisement. A vote by the council is expected before November 1st.