Councilman Mark Mizell will propose pay increases for the Hartselle mayor and city council at its next meeting on Jan. 24.

At its meeting on Jan. 3, Mizell said he would recommend raising the mayor’s salary from $55,000 to $59,000, the council president’s salary from $9,500 to $10,000 and council members’ pay from $8,000 to $8,500. The mayor also receives a $350 per month expense allowance.

Mizell’s reasoning for the pay increase was based on the cost of living raises handed out to city employees since 2008.

“I looked at those raises and increased the mayor and council’s salaries by the same percentage,” Mizell said.

Based on the city’s financial records, that amount is 7.3 percent.

The council has until Feb. 28, six months before the election, to change the salaries. The new pay would not go in effect until the new council takes office Nov. 5.

The municipal election will be Aug. 28. Qualifying will begin July 3 and end July 17. If a runoff election is needed, it will be held on Oct. 8.

Mizell said he will not run again because he purchased a home outside the city limits. He plans to move into the home some time this year. Once he does so, he has said he will resign from the council.