The American Canyon City Council on Tuesday decided against giving themselves a raise.

The vote was 3-2,  with Mayor Leon Garcia, Councilwoman Joan Bennett and Councilman Don Callison voting against it and Vice Mayor Cindy Coffey and Councilman Ed West voting for the hike.

The council’s compensation, set under state law for cities with fewer than 35,000 people, was last increased in 2004. The pay raise would have increased the basic take-home pay from $315 per month to $378.

Before the vote, resident Cori Badertscher spoke against the increase at a time when residents have trouble paying their bills.

“I’m not saying you’re not worth the increase,” Badertscher said. “The timing’s a little off,” she said, referring to the downturned economy.

“I’m sure you’re worth every penny,” Badertscher said.

But Coffey argued for the proposed new stipend, which, under state law, cannot be reconsidered for another two years.

“I think that we deserve it,” Coffey said.

West agreed with Coffey.

“I’m not ashamed to say we put a lot of effort into it,” he said, noting that some day the city may have a full-time city council like the Napa County Board of Supervisors.

Bennett voiced her opposition against the hike, noting that city councilmembers also receive gas mileage reimbursements.

Garcia said that while the proposed hike was small, he wanted to show support for those who are hurting financially.

He, too, feels he works hard.

“But you don’t do it as a job,” he said. “You do it as a service to the community,” he said.

The city clerk then took the vote.

“I think it’s ridiculous,” said Coffey, who noted she had received a 72-hour notice to pay her water bill.

“You’re sending a sign ‘you’re not worth the money’,” she added.

West echoed Coffey’s position.

“You’re hurting future City Councils,” West said.

The City Council, which also serves as the American Canyon Fire Protection District board, was also considering increasing the stipends for fire board meetings and for meetings related to water issues.

No motions were made to introduce the ordinances and the matters were dropped.

The city could have spent up to $27,000 to fund the increase, according to a memorandum to the City Council. Under state law, a 5 percent increase may be added every calendar year.