How could city council justify $24,000 pay raise for city attorney?

In a time such as this, with unemployment as high as it is. . .

In the midst of a nationwide recession which will, in all likelihood, continue to escalate into an actual economic depression, can someone, preferably one of the council members who voted for it, please explain the justification for giving Tim Wilson a $24,000 a year raise?

I understand, and appreciate the desire to want to be competitive with salaries for city employees, but seriously, this raise is beyond the pale in terms of excess. If Mr. Wilson is unwilling to work for $71,000 a year, then by all means, let him go.

I have no doubt that there is a young attorney out there who would love to come to Boundary County and earn $71,000 a year. It goes without saying that in order to fund this over 30 percent pay increase, you’re going to raise our taxes once again. I can only  hope and pray that those of us who make significantly less than $71,000 annually will be able to weather this coming crisis.

Drew Browne

Bonners Ferry