St. Joseph City Commissioners have turned down a pay increase after the city Municipal Officers Compensation Commission recommended one for them.

At a meeting this week, commissioners were told the MOCC met in October to review the salaries of elected officials, as is required every two years. It recommended a 4% increase, based on inflation and other economic considerations. Commissioners then had the choice to take no action and let the pay increase happen, or to vote against it.

Commissioners Michael Fernandez, Michael Sarola, and Tess Ulrey all chimed in.

“ I don’t believe in free labor, but I could get behind just declining a pay increase,” Fernandez said. “ I certainly don’t need that.”

“I’m fine with that,” Sarola said. “ It’

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