FOREST ACRES, SC — A 37.5 percent salary increase for the four members of Forest Acres City Council will be discussed at this evening’s council meeting.

Salaries would go to $6,600 a year, from $4,800.

The proposal also would raise the mayor’s salary by 30 percent, to $7,800 a year.

Administrator Mark Williams said salaries were last adjusted in May 2000. He said the council would not need to hold a public hearing on the measure, which would translate to an extra $150 a month for council members and the mayor alike.

“I don’t know that we’ve got anything in stone,” added Mayor Frank Brunson.

The proposal stipulates raises would go into effect July 1.

Under state law, public officials can only consider raising their salaries in an election year, with increases that go into effect after an election, a stipulation that allows voters some clout.

Forest Acres’ city election is May 14. The terms of two of the five are up.

Councilman Shell Suber, who plans to run for re-election, said he remains undecided on the measure.

“It’s not something we’re doing for the money,” said Suber, who is in his 40th year on the council, “but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be paid for the time and effort.”

A survey by the S.C. Municipal Association shows council members in 10 similar-sized cities are paid $3,600 to $10,158.72 a year. The smallest salary in the category is paid to council members in Hanahan and Newberry, with the highest in West Columbia.

Mayors in those cities are paid $4,800 to $19,895 a year.

Association spokeswoman Casey Fields said it’s possible not all cities with a population of 10,000 to 20,000 are included in the voluntary survey.

Reach Hinshaw at (803) 771-8641.