Fresno Council votes to return part of salaries

Fresno City Council members approved a policy that allows them to return part of their salaries as a gesture toward employees who could be asked to forgo raises in July.
By a 4-1 vote Thursday, the council authorized the city treasury to "accept donations" until June 30, 2010.
Council Member Larry Westerlund, a sponsor of the resolution, said the council should "take the cut first." All donations would be voluntary. Council members suggested giving 3 percent of their $65,000 annual salaries.
Council Member Mike Dages, who called the measure grandstanding, was the lone "no" vote. He said that now is a bad time to be taking money out of the local economy.

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