The Baltimore City Council failed to vote against raises approved by the Elected Official Compensation Commission, an independent body that recommended pay increases for the mayor, city council members and other elected officials.

The lack of action, however, will not prevent the pay hikes from taking effect, according to the city charter.

“You shouldn’t have to take a vow of poverty to be a City Council member,” said Councilwoman Helen Holton, arguing that the raises were long overdue.

But some council members were angered by the morning meeting.

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“I think meeting at 10 a.m. sends a bad message about transparency in government,” said Councilman Ken Harris. “The meeting should be held at night so the citizens can have their say.”

Councilman Bernard “Jack” Young, who introduced and then withdrew a motion not to vote on the pay increase because some council member were absent, said the process was fair. “The commission is an independent body that has had open meetings,” he said.

The raise, which will take effect at the end of 2007, marks the first pay increase for the City Council since 1999, and includes an extra $8,000 for City Council members, as well a $23,000 raise for the mayor.

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com