At the January 23 Leeds City Council meeting, Mayor Eric Patterson asked the council to consider increasing the mayor and council’s salaries for their successors.

“As a governing body, it’s our duty every term to discuss salaries for the succeeding governing body,” said Patterson.

The current council must vote whether or not to increase salaries by February 28.

“Twelve years ago the council voted a raise from $200 to $400. That’s no insurance, no car and we’re not on the utility board like many other city councils are. I’ve compared Leeds to what other mayors and city councils are making,” Patterson said.

Currently, the Leeds mayor’s salary is $24,990 and the council receives $400.

Explaining all that both the council and mayor’s jobs require, Patterson said, “I’ve driven at least 30,000 miles during this job. Our council members are at everything and they pay for that out of pocket. Leeds has progressed to the point now where there’s always something going on. This is something that needs to be considered. There are a lot of expenses with this job. Not everyone has a supplemental income like I do.”

Requesting that the council think it over Patterson said, “I’m not asking you to vote on it tonight, but my suggestion at this time is for the council to be paid $600 and the mayor, $36,000. That would be the maximum.”

Other items discussed:

* A contract with Charter Communications through 2012 stated cable services would be provided at no charge to city buildings. However, over the past few weeks to a month, Charter has stopped its services, saying it’s a new nationwide policy where they no longer provide that service. Leaving Leeds City Hall, including the Leeds Police Department without television. Meaning when severe weather hits the area, they have no television advisement on when to take cover.

“During Sunday’s tornado our only access to monitor the weather were our weather radios,” said Police Chief Byron Jackson.

Jackson requested the council approve a move to Dish Network where they would receive three free receivers and pay $39 per month under a two year contract.

Leeds City attorney Emily Bonds felt that Charter may be in breech of contract and wanted to make sure the city was receiving services stipulated in the contract.

Deciding to include other city departments such as the fire department, the mayor and council tabled the discussion until the next council meeting.

The next Leeds City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 6 at 6pm at the Leeds Civic Center.