An eagle-eyed ratepayer spotted the rise of $442 a week in the latest council business papers.

While no special mention was made of the rise, it was included in the normal monthly financial information presented to ratepayers.

Mayor Fay Miller now receives salary and allowances totaling $93,096 a year or almost $1800 a week.

Council voted to approve a $21,236 pay rise this year, to bring the mayor’s salary and allowances into line with equivalent sized councils.

Several aldermen are known to have voted against the rise because of community anger over recent rate rises.

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