Wellsburg City Council has approved a raise for elected officials in the city. According to Mayor Sue Simonetti, many elected officials have not gotten a raise since 1996.

"Honestly I don't think the pay really is the thing for an elected official. Obviously it's not the money. We're there to make the difference in the city, so it really isn't the money, but our expenses are more, so I just think it's way past due," Simonetti said.

Right now, City Council members get $100 per meeting, and that will be bumped up to $250. The mayor gets $300 per month, and that will increase to $50.. Also the collector and treasurer position will receive a raise, from $20,000 to $27,000 annually. The city clerk will also get a $100 monthly raise, from $300 to $400.

The pay increases were approved on Nov. 13, and have not been adjusted since Nov. 12, 1996.

That's kind of a long time. You know, prices have increased. Whether or not the city of Wellsburg has the money, we'll find it, because it's needed," Simonetti said. Simonetti said the increases will not begin until the end of the current elected officials' terms. The position of mayor and four council seats will receive a raise when their term is up on June 30. The remaining council members will not receive raises until their terms are up in two years.