RINCON, Ga. — Rincon City Council has approved a pay increase for its members, raising the mayor’s pay by $600 per month and council members’ pay by $500 per month.

This week the council voted unanimously to give itself its first pay raise in 14 years, boosting council members’ monthly pay to $750 and the mayor’s to $950. The last increase came in 2011, when members’ pay rose to $250 per month and the mayor’s to $350.

City officials say the raises reflect both the years of work poured into the community and a new chapter for Rincon.

The city has seen significant growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding. Council member Jesse “Ben” Blackwell, Jr. reflected on the obstacles the council has faced.

“Within those 14 years, from 2012 to 2018, the city struggled to pay its bills,” Blackwell, Jr. said. “It had a lot of financial problems and mandates from the state with our water and some other issues, which led council members to sacrifice the vote for a raise.”

Council members attend weekly meetings and handle a full schedule of city business. For council member Brandy Riley, the pay increase is a recognition of the time and effort they devote to improving Rincon.

“If I broke the $250 a month that we are getting paid down, it’s probably less than a dollar an hour some weeks,” Riley said.

After years of service, council member Levi Scott said the pay increase is needed to help support members’ work and the city’s continued growth.

“It takes time and commitment to get involved,” Scott said. “You spend that time away from your families to be able to achieve that, and I think it’s fair compensation.”

The pay raise will take effect at the beginning of next year for council members elected in November’s municipal election, in which three council seats and the mayor’s office are up for reelection.