MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A salary survey shows that the Missoula City Council and mayor were the best-paid in the state in 2016.

The Missoulian reports that the city's mayor and council members received 3.25 percent raises last week in the city's new budget, which provided across-the-board pay boosts for all nonunion city employees.

By statute, compensation for Montana mayors and city council members is tied to those of nonunion employees to avoid having elected officials vote to give themselves a raise.

Missoula Mayor John Engen is one of only three full-time mayors in Montana. Since being elected mayor in 2006, his salary grew from $70,000 to $91,800 this year, which is a 31 percent increase in 13 years.

Engen makes no apologies for what he calls a "demanding" job.

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