See Through Hudson

Today, a reader told me in an email that he was surprised when Alderman Malachi Walker (Fourth Ward) said, at Monday night's informal Common Council meeting, that he was going to take $50 out of his check as a alderman and put it toward the Youth Department. The reader was surprised because he didn't know members of the Common Council were paid. That email inspired this post.

Yes, the members of the Common Council are paid for their service and have been for as long as anyone can remember. Currently, the Council president receives $12,500 a year, the majority and minority leaders each receive $5,711 a year, and the eight other aldermen receive $5,473 a year. The stipends are disbursed in monthly payments. 

In addition to the stipend, the members of the Common Council are eligible for City-provided health insurance. If they decide to opt out of that insurance plan, they receive a $3,500 buyout. Last year, all but one of the members took the buyout.
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