Novi Officials Get A Raise

Novi’s mayor and city council members received a raise Aug. 5 in the primary election after voters passed a charter amendment.

Mayor Bob Gatt and Novi council members will receive raises with more than 3,000 votes in favor of the pay increase. The passed charter amendment raises the mayor’s annual compensation to $6,500 and council members’ to $4,500, The Observer & Eccentric reports.

Gatt and city council members were paid the same salary that was established in 1969 before the amendment passed.

“It took much time and great effort to review the entire Charter of the City of Novi and then decide what sections should be presented to the voters to determine if they wanted to update this most important document,” Gatt said. “Remember, the Charter hasn’t been reviewed in over 40 years.”

The mayor was paid $20 per city council meeting while council members were paid $15 per meeting.

“As a resident I am happy that the residents appreciate the hard work and dedication of our elected officials,” said Davis Landry, a member of the Chapter Review Committee that created the new payment structure. “All we wanted was to give the residents an opportunity to voice their opinion. The residents have spoken.”

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PHOTO: Bob Gatt received a raise along with city council members after Novi residents voted in their favor Aug. 5 (Photo courtesy of www.Novi.org).