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Pinetop Lakeside council vote to raise stipends fails after resident and council debate
Summary
The Town of Pinetop Lakeside debated a resolution to increase council stipends that would take effect for members elected in 2026 and 2028; the motion failed after public comment and mixed council views.
The Town of Pinetop Lakeside considered Resolution No. 25-1767, a proposal to increase council stipends, but the council voted to reject the measure.
The item, introduced by staff during the meeting, cited Arizona law and the Arizona League of Cities and Towns guidance on how stipend increases take effect. Town staff said any approved increase could not take effect until after the next regular election; the proposal set effective dates of Dec. 1, 2026, for members elected in 2026 and Dec. 1, 2028, for members elected in 2028. Staff also noted council stipends were last increased in January 1997.
The proposal prompted public comment and split council reaction. Jim Snitzer, a Lakeside resident and former council member, said he tracked his time while on council and used that to support the increase: "I spent 159 hours and so that's the kind of commitment it takes," he told the council. Snitzer said the time commitment makes a stipend increase reasonable.
Council responses were mixed. Councilor Turner said she opposed the raise on principle and expressed concern about optics, noting that serving on council is a privilege. Councilor Heisler said she was opposed as well, arguing the council should not approve its own pay increase while employee raises had not been discussed. The vice mayor supported the increase, saying it would bring Pinetop Lakeside closer to neighboring municipalities' stipends and noted the change would not take effect for years.
After discussion, a council member moved to adopt Resolution No. 25-1767, and another member seconded. The mayor called for a vote; the motion failed.
Why it matters: The proposal would have adjusted long-standing council compensation levels and raised questions among residents and council members about priorities for town funds, transparency and the timing of increases relative to employee compensation and other budgetary concerns.
What remains: No stipend increase was adopted. Council discussion included references to the town budget and the timing of future personnel and community spending decisions.
