Is Serving on a City Council Still Community Service if You Are Getting Paid?

 
Serving on a city council is considered a form of public service, a way to contribute to the well-being of one’s community through decision-making, policy implementation, and ensuring that local government meets the needs of its residents. 

Traditionally, community service is understood as voluntary work that benefits others, typically without monetary compensation. This raises a pertinent question: Is serving on a city council still considered community service if the council members are being paid? 

To answer this, we must explore the nature of both "community service" and the role of city council members, and examine how compensation may or may not alter the essence of the service provided.

Nature of Community Service

Community service is generally defined as work performed for the benefit of others, usually on a voluntary basis, and often without financial reward. It is an altruistic activity, carried out with the intention of improving the well-being of others or the community. Volunteering is often associated with sacrifice and selflessness, as individuals forgo personal gain to contribute to the common good. However, the fact that an activity is compensated does not necessarily negate its potential value as a service to the community.

In many cases, compensated work in the public sector is seen as a way to ensure that individuals dedicate enough time and effort to the responsibilities of the role, and it reflects the importance of the work being done. A city council, being an essential body in local governance, makes crucial decisions about urban planning, budget allocation, infrastructure, public safety, and social services. It is a responsibility that requires significant time and expertise, which is often beyond the capacity of unpaid volunteers.

Role of City Council Members

City council members are elected officials to represent the interests of their constituents. Their work involves deliberating on complex issues, drafting legislation, reviewing budgets, and overseeing city departments. For many city councils, especially in larger municipalities, the volume and complexity of the tasks demand that members dedicate significant amounts of time, often attending numerous meetings, studying policies, and engaging with the public.

Given the scope of responsibilities and the knowledge required, it may be unreasonable to expect city council members to serve without compensation. Many of these individuals would otherwise have to balance council duties with other jobs or obligations, making it difficult to commit the necessary time and energy. As such, receiving a wage ensures that those in the role are sufficiently supported and able to dedicate themselves to the important work of local governance.

However, just because city council members are paid does not necessarily diminish the altruistic nature of their work. While compensation helps support the professional aspect of their service, the core motivation for many council members remains rooted in a desire to improve the lives of their constituents. The public often elects city council members because they trust them to act in the community's best interests, and many council members enter office with the intent to make a positive impact.

Compensation and Its Impact on Service

One of the key arguments against viewing a paid position as community service is that it introduces the element of personal financial gain, which could, theoretically, affect the level of selflessness in the work performed. In contrast to purely voluntary community service, where the volunteer's time is given without the expectation of reward, paid positions may be viewed as more transactional in nature. The assumption here is that financial compensation might shift the motivation of a council member from civic-mindedness to career advancement or personal gain.

Yet, it is important to acknowledge that a wage does not necessarily equate to greed or a lack of dedication to the community. Many public servants, including city council members, see their roles as a vocation, driven by a genuine desire to contribute to society, regardless of financial remuneration. Moreover, offering compensation helps to ensure that city councils remain diverse, attracting individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds who might otherwise be unable to afford to serve if the role were unpaid.

In this sense, the payment can be seen not as a reward for "service" in the traditional sense but as compensation for the time, expertise, and labor invested. The salary does not alter the fact that these individuals are performing duties that benefit the community, but rather acknowledges the professional nature of their work and ensures that they can do so effectively.

Conclusion

Serving on a city council is still a form of community service, even if it is compensated. The essence of community service lies not in whether the individual is paid, but in the impact that the service has on the community and the selfless commitment to improving the lives of others. City council members may be financially compensated for their time and efforts, but this compensation does not diminish the public good that they contribute. In fact, it often enables them to perform their roles with the dedication and expertise that the community requires.

While the distinction between paid and unpaid service is important to consider, it should not overshadow the fact that serving on a city council is fundamentally an act of service to the community, driven by a commitment to the common good.

The city council in my city of residence recently increased the token payment that was being paid to council members and the Mayor. In the past, this fee was basically to pay for the gas money council members use to get to and from meetings. But at the end of 2023, this payment was increased a lot, like triple! For example, the Mayor will now receive $800 per meeting (and there are 2-3 meetings per month). This change caused me to think about the meaning of public service.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Are you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special privilides and get invited to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

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