Same promise, different result for councilmen Ross, Wolfson

After Las Vegas officials approved higher salaries for the mayor and City Council, Councilmen Steve Ross and Steve Wolfson promised that, if re-elected, they would not accept the higher salary.

Wolfson kept that promise.

Ross, for the most part, did not.

"I can't give the raise back, because it's in statute," Ross said, acknowledging that he is "unfortunately" being paid the higher salary. "If I could change that statute today, I would not be collecting that money.

"In today's crisis, as we're going to employees and saying, 'Listen, I need you to give something back,' I'm ready to give that (raise) back. How do I give that money back? How do I give that raise back to the city of Las Vegas without changing the statute?"

Ross is planning to run for mayor next year. Wolfson is considering the contest as well.

There is at least one way to give the raise back -- a method used by Wolfson and city Finance Director Mark Vincent. In fact, Ross is using that method to return a small portion of his salary to the city.

Both men are paid the full council salary as required by city ordinance, and in Wolfson's case, after taxes are taken out, the balance of the raise is sent back to the city's general fund.

"Is that something that I could do? Probably," said Ross. "It sounds like a big challenge to me. I don't know how it's working out for him, but it's certainly what he's doing."

Later in the interview, however, Ross changed course and wondered if Wolfson really was giving the raise back.

"I know Steve's not giving back that $20,000 and change. I know that's not the case," Ross said. "Maybe he is, but I doubt it. That's a chunk of change to be taxed on and give back."

Yes, it is a large sum of money -- and it goes back to the city, said Wolfson.

"I pay taxes on the increase, and the net goes back to the city," he said.

"I decided early on, and I said publicly, that I didn't think it was fair and right for me to take a raise when we were going into a recession.

"I'm not trying to pat myself on the back. I'm accepting the tax consequences but I'm not getting the benefit."

The City Council approved the raises in November 2007 on a 6-1 vote at a time when the economic downturn was accelerating. The dissenter was then-Councilman Larry Brown, who is now on the Clark County Commission but has announced his intention to run for mayor as well.

The raises don't take effect until after a new election for each seat. So far, only three positions have come up for election -- Ward 2, held by Wolfson; Ward 6, Ross' seat; and Ward 4, which was filled by Stavros Anthony in 2009.

After that election, council salaries for those seats increased to $69,238, up from $48,238. There has been one cost-of-living increase since then, and their salary is now $72,007.

Wolfson has directed all the increases back to the city after taxes are deducted. Currently, the donation is $573 per pay period, according to figures provided by Vincent. Since May of 2009, Wolfson has donated $20,209 back to the city.

Ross gives back the cost-of-living increase, which currently amounts to $75 per pay period. His donation started in July and totals $653 so far.

The other three council seats will be on the ballot next year, along with the mayoral slot.

The three council seats not yet affected by the raises were paid $50,416 in 2009, and the mayor's job paid $66,233. Those amounts will increase after the next election, and the mayor's job will become a full-time position, meaning whoever holds it cannot accept outside work.

Candidate filing for city elections will take place Jan. 25 to Feb. 4. The primary will be April 5, and the general election is set for June 7.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.