ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) — Ithaca’s mayor does not want a raise.

In a statement, Mayor Robert Cantelmo said he’s motivated to serve the city “from a place of civic pride and responsibility, not for compensation.” He’s calling on the Common Council to remove a budget amendment that would’ve increased his salary to $62,500.

Ithaca Alderperson Clyde Lederman tells the Ithaca Voice he plans to honor Cantelmo’s request, though he’s “hopeful” there will be a salary increase for the next term.

Last week, Lederman called the mayor “dramatically underpaid.”

Cantelmo’s full statement, provided to WHCU, is below:

I appreciate the intention of the sponsors in advancing a recent budgetary amendment on the mayor’s salary. While I agree with the principles of fair compensation and living wages, I also would prefer recommendations pertaining to elected official pay be moderated by a public and participatory process beyond the legislature alone.

I am motivated to serve our city from a place of civic pride and responsibility, not for compensation. I will continue to serve with that same level of vigor, dedication, and zeal irrespective of how I am compensated.

For several years, I have made the case that the compensation of elected officials should be left in the hands of the public. I proposed to the Lewis administration that a citizen-led commission be established to periodically review compensation. I will advance the same argument again here. The people should make these determinations based on their expectations of their public servants, as it is to our residents that we are ultimately accountable.

Similarly, I believe that the compensation for elected officials should be fixed with their terms. The County legislature has a good model for this, whereby salary cannot be adjusted after petitioning for elected office has begun in the Spring. I would contrast that with two recent examples of what we have seen in the city. First, the process of changing the mayor’s salary in July of an election year, especially after the justification behind the city manager transition stated the mayor’s salary would only be slightly reduced from its previous level. Second, is the recent amendment proposed by my colleagues. While I don’t doubt the sincerity of their actions, I still believe this falls within the responsibility of the public and not our elected officials alone.

We talk so much about housing on this Council because it is so critical to the future health of our city. But those who have spoken with me know that my chiefest and greatest priority is the success of our government transition. That we have a professional administration, supported by our Council and our public, that stewards the city through a time of change and uncertainty. I do not believe that goal is best served at this time by a move to increase the mayor’s salary.

Therefore, while this may overstep my former willingness to recuse myself on this matter, I call on the sponsors of this amendment to remove it and return these funds to the city’s fund balance.

Sincerely,

Mayor Robert Cantelmo