The Simi Valley City Council voted 4-0 Monday to give itself a 10 percent pay hike, raising council members' salaries from $1,055 per month to $1,160. Councilmember Barbra Williamson was not in attendance due to illness.

According to Assistant City Manager Laura Behjan, the increase is allowable under a California state law that authorizes city councils a 5 percent pay raise every year to account for cost-of-living increases and the salaries of similar employment groups during the same period time.

"So we go to them every two years to authorize a 10 percent increase," Behjan explained.

It's a request, historically, that few Simi councils have ever turned down.

Behjan called the raise a "relatively small amount" when compared to the amount of work done by the council members.

"From a pure dollar standpoint, it's a pretty small number in the big scheme of things when you consider the work they put in on our behalf," she said.

The salary increase will become effective when council member terms begin following the Nov. 7 election. Councilmembers Glen Becerra and Michelle Foster are both up for reelection, as is Mayor Paul Miller.

-Kyle Jorrey