The Langley City Council approved a $10,000-a-year pay raise for Mayor Paul Samuelson Monday night.

Samuelson has been on the job for less than a year.

The council voted and approved the 2008 budget amendment during its regular city council meeting.

Most amendment items were related to increased fuel costs and similar expenses, but the big ticket item was thea $10,000 pay raise for Samuelson.

The pay raise was initiated by city council members who are satisfied with Samuelson’s hands-on approach since he took office in January, said councilman Robert Gilman.

Gilman explained the move earlier this week.

“It looks like a huge increase, but compared to reasonable salaries, it’s not,” Gilman said.

The mayor’s salary is budgeted at $21,000 this year. The increase brings it up to $31,000.

In comparison, the mayor of Oak Harbor is scheduled to make a little more than $47,000 this year and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard makes $61,298, but acts as both mayor and city administrator.

“We’re really appreciating the importance of the mayor’s leadership,” Gilman said.

With the latest increase, the mayor’s salary has doubled within the past two years.

According to the budget, the city paid the mayor $15,599 in 2006. In 2007, the council approved an increase to $21,000 a year. Then-councilman Samuelson voted for the increase.