IRON MOUNTAIN — A proposal that would raise compensation for Iron Mountain City Council members for the first time in 39 years may be headed to the Aug. 6 primary ballot.

Ballot language approved by the council will seek a change in the city charter to raise council pay to $30 per meeting — up from the current $10 — but capped at $1,500 per year. The current cap, in place since 1985, is $500.

Iron Mountain voters were last asked to approve higher council pay in November 2014 when a similar proposal was defeated, 1,543 no to 575 yes.

In November 2013, an increase to $40 per meeting had been proposed, at a maximum of $2,000 per year. Annual increases of no more than 2% tied to the Consumer Price Index were also included. That proposal was defeated 151 no to 73 yes.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the new proposal roughly equates to an inflationary increase, as $10 in 1985 has the buying power of about $29 today. However, there is no provision for automatic increases, so any future change would require another ballot proposal.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina had suggested putting the measure on the Nov. 5 general election ballot, but the council decided to first present it Aug. 6, leaving open the possibility of a second try in November if it fails. The effective date of the increase would be Jan. 1, 2025.

Council member Paul Maule said it may be necessary to “keep putting it on the ballot” until something passes.

The proposal now goes to Michigan attorney general’s office for review. A similar proposal was approved by the council in 2022, but state officials misplaced it. The ballot deadline was missed and the matter was shelved.

In addition to council pay, Iron Mountain’s mayor receives an extra $125 per year, a provision that wouldn’t change. Council members may also be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred on city business, subject to council approval.

In other action Monday, the council:

≤ Heard Stanchina report that MAXX Entertainment Center owner Dave Fraser has agreed to seek assistance from Code Enforcement Officer Garth Budek in trying to resolve noise complaints. While there’s no guarantee of success, a cooperative effort might “get it rolling back in the right direction,” Stanchina said. Fraser hasn’t been cited or fined, but complaints about noise emanating more than 2,000 feet from the Aragon Street facility have resulted in some music events ending early.

≤ Received an update on fire department staffing, with Stanchina saying the city will again apply for a Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If approved, the grant would fund three additional firefighters at 100% of the cost for three years. These three new positions would replace part-timers, Stanchina said, adding approval is “a long shot.” Although part-time positions are less expensive, it’s difficult to maintain an adequate number and overtime costs run high. A similar grant application two years ago was unsuccessful.

≤ Reviewed a three-page list of unpaid water bills of three months or more totaling $24,108. If no payment is received by April 30, the unpaid charges will be added to the property owner’s tax bill.

≤ Recognized April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day, celebrating therapy animals and their human handlers for bringing “comfort and healing to a variety of people in our community including veterans, seniors, patients, students and those approaching end of life.”

≤ Updated the city’s policy for sidewalk construction specifications, requiring steel or fiber to be used as reinforcement and requiring the concrete to consist of a 6.5-bag mix, up from six bags, resulting in 92.6 pounds per bag of cement.