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ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Pay is going up for a key position at Ithaca City Hall.
Effective in January, the mayor’s annual salary will increase to $52,166.40. The position currently pays $30,000.
The Ithaca Common Council approved the change in a 7-3 vote on Oct. 7. As part of the resolution, the council agreed to provide further study of mayoral compensation by Aug. 4, 2027.
“We owe it to the community to do a thorough review and thorough communication of the job,” said Alderperson Margaret Fabrizio, who voted against the increase.
Alderperson Pat Sewell, who also opposed the raise, said the city doesn’t have to have a full-time mayor. He called City Manager Dominick Recckio “incredibly competent.”
Alderperson Hannah Shvets, who supported the increase, said having a full-time mayor is appropriate.
“I just don’t see how a part-time mayor can in any way lead policy development,” she said.
Mayor Robert Cantelmo, who voted in favor of the raise, said increasing the salary makes running for office more practical for potential candidates.
“Establishing something at this level provides for a level of access to anyone who would like to serve in this role in the future, who isn’t fortunate enough to have financial support outside of what they have to bring to the table themselves,” he said.
Cantelmo said he wants shift workers at GreenStar or Target to be able to run for mayor, without feeling tethered to the “capriciousness” of a large company’s scheduling.