A decision on compensation for Jim Thorpe Borough Council members and the mayor was deferred last week for future discussion.

Council President Greg Strubinger said the passage of Act 131 at the state level raised the maximum allowable compensation for borough officials across Pennsylvania for the first time since 1995.

The new law increases the maximum allowable compensation for borough council members in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents, which Jim Thorpe falls under, from $1,875 to $3,145 per year. For boroughs with a population of less than 5,000, the maximum pay increase for a mayor goes from $2,500 to $4,190 annually.

The council’s current compensation sits at $1,380 annually for council members and $1,980 for the mayor, well below even the previous caps.

Strubinger provided historical context, noting that the responsibilities of the council have shifted over time.

“In the history of the borough, the council’s sort of responsibilities have changed a bit,” he said. “We have a borough manager in place now. Prior to that time, when this stipend was actually put in place, the function that council members were performing was a bit different. Council members put in a lot of time and I don’t want to minimize that. But things have changed. I believe the current stipend level is fair.”

Strubinger emphasized that the motivation behind implementing stipends was not financial gain.

“No one runs for this office, I think, for the money,” Strubinger said. “I would venture to say a lot of the elected officials over many years weren’t using that as any type of motivation. Many, like myself, probably didn’t even know there was some type of stipend.”

Council member Mike Yeastedt, on the other hand, described an expanding scope of council responsibilities.

“There’s way more involvement for council people, if they choose to get involved,” he said.

Citing various infrastructure and development projects — including water, streets, stormwater, GPS and budget issues — Yeastedt added, “There is actually a lot that the council people do.”

“We were $500 below the maximum of the ceiling last time,” Yeastedt said, referencing the previous cap of $1,875. “My suggestion would be to keep something similar where we would be $500 below the new cap, which is suggested to be $3,145.”

No final decision was made during Jim Thorpe’s April 10 meeting.

A chart was being prepared to compile the various compensation suggestions offered by members, with plans to revisit the discussion at a future work session.

“We’ll update the chart with everyone’s suggestions so that council can see them all,” Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said. “Council can discuss it at next month’s work session.”