The Orlando City Council will hold the second and final vote Monday on whether to increase their pay by 21 percent.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, in seeking to justify the massive increases said, they would bring his pay and those of fellow commissioners in line with market rates. Dyer also said a comparison which was undertaken with other city mayors, had not been done in 10 years.
Last week, two city commissioners voted against the pay increase when it was first brought to the Council.
The City Council’s vote to pass these pay increases comes at a time when metro Orlando ranks last, nationwide, in terms of median pay and has the largest share of jobs – 37 percent – paying less than $25,000 a year.
Before the actual vote, Orlando area residents will have an opportunity to offer public comments on the matter.
The City Council is also expected to vote to approve an agreement between the City, Orlando City Soccer and Seminole County. Seminole County has given a commitment to provide $2 million toward an $85 million Orlando City Soccer stadium in the Parramore area, the construction of which has drawn mixed reaction from residents.
Despite the controversy surrounding the construction of the new stadium, the city of Orlando has committed $20 million toward its funding. Orange County government has also committed $20 million in funding.
Both the city of Orlando and Board of Orange County Commissioners are expected to vote to approve the funding for the soccer stadium next month.
Meanwhile, Orlando City President Phil Rawlins has maintained that, a dedicated soccer stadium is needed before the team can join Major League Soccer.
According to Rawlins, the economic impact to the community of the soccer stadium is estimated to be $1.3 billion over the next thirty years, though that figure has been disputed.
