A plan to give large raises to Newburgh's part-time mayor and city council members is receiving blowback from the community and even some of the council members themselves. Mayor Torrance Harvey's yearly salary would increase from $15,000 a year to $25,000 a year. The six other council members' salaries would go from $12,000 to at least $20,000; the two at-large representatives would earn $22,500 a year. Many city residents told News 12 that after cuts to the fire and police departments in recent years to keep the government solvent, they would like to see the city council lead by example. "They don't really deserve it like that," said Tyrone Pickett. "We don't have any youth programs out here. There's nothing for the kids to do. Now they leave the kids to the streets but the city council is fattening their pockets." "If you raise your salary, people need to see that there's an equal amount not just for yourself but for the entire community," said Giuliana Allen, as she was pushing her daughter in a stroller, annoyed with the unlevel sidewalks. City Manager Todd Venning told the council during a Sept. 26 budget meeting there is room in the 2025 budget for the salary increases. The raises would put salaries for Newburgh council members just above those in nearby, similarly sized cities. Kingston council members are each paid $10,000 a year with the majority and minority leaders earning an extra $500, and the sole at-large council member earns $12,000 a year. Middletown council members are each paid $15,000 a year with the council president earning $20,000 a year. Poughkeepsie council members each earn $9,000 a year. The mayor says these part-time salaries should be increased because he and other council members work more hours than just part-time. "I work around the clock. I work on the weekends," he said during the budget meeting. "I support all the increases for the entire city council. People can say what they want to say." There is opposition among the rest of the council. Both Ward 2 Rep Ramona Monteverde and Ward 3 Rep Robert Sklarz said they have reservations about the increases. "Given the tight budget we're facing and given that we're telling department heads 'no' to many of the items on their wish lists," Sklarz said, "I feel very uncomfortable with an increase at this time." Before the council votes on the raises and the rest of the 2025 budget, they will hold a hearing on Oct. 28 to gather public input.