San Diego County Supervisors voted Tuesday to give themselves a 12.5 percent raise. The raise will increase the supervisors' annual salaries by roughly $19,000.
That will go on top of their $153,000 yearly salary.
Supervisors Greg Cox, Dianne Jacob, Bill Horn, Ron Roberts voted for the increase while newly-elected District 3 Supervisor Kristin Gaspar voted against it.
In the public comment portion of the meeting, many people spoke out against the raise. Several argued the board should divert that money to homelessness, affordable housing or transportation instead of their salaries.
Isabella Firth of Rancho Penasquitos asked the board to reconsider their priorities.
"That failure to invest in San Diego families diminishes us as a county," Firth said. "Your willingness to vote to increase your own comfort adds insult to that injury."
In the end, the board voted for the pay increase.
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The supervisors who voted for the raise are not eligible for re-election. The timing of the vote was criticized by some who argue the board won't suffer any political backlash due to their term limits.
They also point to the fact that the raise will give board supervisors a higher pension.
