The Santa Clarita City Council approved in a split-vote to not increase their monthly compensation at their meeting on Tuesday evening.

In the 3 – 2 vote, members of the Santa Clarita City Council voted to not increase their monthly compensation of $1,832.57.

“Members of the City Council are compensated monthly for the substantial amount of time and effort they contribute to leading our local government,” said Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin in a presentation.

The Santa Clarita City Council had the option of increasing their monthly compensation for the calendar years of 2015 and 16 by up to five percent for each of those years for a total of 10 percent, Striplin said.

If the Santa Clarita City Council approved the increase, their new rate of pay would have been $2,015.83 per month, according to Tuesday’s agenda.

Councilman TimBen Boydston said that he didn’t think it was appropriate for the Santa Clarita City Council to take a raise.

“I know that none of us up here are doing it for the money, at least that’s what I’ve been told,” said Boydston. “This is a problem with a lot of people and I think as council people we need to set a good example.”

Boydston, Councilman Dante Acosta and Mayor Pro Tem Bob Kellar voted against increasing monthly compensation while Councilwoman Laurene Weste and Mayor Marsha McLean voted for the increase.

Public speaker Cam Noltemeyer was also “opposed to the increase.”

“It’s great to put forth out there that we don’t deserve a raise at all and not take a raise, which is fine,” said McLean. “We don’t just come to two meetings a month, we’re on 24 hours because that’s what we opted for and that’s what we wanted and it’s an honor to serve. But, when you start talking about how we’re taking all of this money, it’s not a lot of money.”

In 1996, the regular compensation was $875.16 and in 2015, the rate is $1,832.57, added Boydston.

The last salary adjustment was on July 1, 2014, where council member compensation was increased to $1,832.57 per month, according to Tuesday’s agenda.