The City Council of 2013 effectively voted to give themselves compensation without a referendum, in defiance of the City Charter. To be fair, not every councilmember voted to approve this measure, yet enough votes were cast to pass Resolution 2340.

I voted to have Charter Amendment 1 added to this election’s ballot because I wanted to put this decision back into the hands of the voters of East Ridge, where it belongs. The City Council position is part-time, and many councilmembers are able to work full-time jobs to support themselves and their families while serving our community. Because they can hold full-time jobs, they may have the opportunity to obtain insurance through their employers, at no cost to the citizens of East Ridge. Amendment 1 allows councilmembers and the Mayor to purchase the City’s insurance plan at full cost tothemselves. This is a generous benefit to them that will come at no cost to the taxpayers.

I personally will be voting “Yes” on Charter Amendment 1 to allow the East Ridge City Council and Mayor toparticipate in the City’s insurance plan at full cost to themselves. As a City Council member, I can tell you that our Council is adequately compensated for its service. For this reason, I encourage you to vote “Yes” on Charter Amendment 1.

David Tyler
East Ridge City Council Member