Port Alberni city council voted against giving the next council a raise, as new federal tax rules mean the future council will be making less money.
Mayor Mike Ruttan said the issue should have been dealt with months ago, but the vote failed because of the upcoming election.
He said people will run for council regardless of salary, and any proposed increase would have been minimal.
Last month, regional district directors voted for a 10% pay increase to offset the new tax rules that removes the non-taxable portion of their income.