Maitland councillors have approved a 2.5 per cent pay rise for themselves.
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The Local Government Remuneration Tribunal recommended the annual pay rise for the 2015/16 financial year.
It means Maitland councillors will receive $18,380 for the next year, up from $17,930.
The mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore will be paid $58,470, up from $57,040.
Cr Steve Procter said at Tuesday night’s council meeting that the amount of extra money would not have a significant impact on council’s budget.
“I feel that councillors have probably earned that pay rise,” he said.
“You don’t do it for the money but when the tribunal recommends a pay rise you are not going to say no.”
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the pay rise, which is the maximum raise allowed for public service wages.