The Otago Regional Council will send the Remuneration Authority a ''please explain'' letter querying a 5.2% pay increase for councillors.
Finance and corporate committee member Cr Sam Neill, who proposed the motion at a meeting yesterday, told councillors they could not turn down the rise, but should ask for an explanation.
It could not be justified when some workers received no pay rise, and inflation was at a low level.
Councillors did their work as a civic duty, and were paid well already, Cr Neill said.
Cr Bryan Scott said he had a ''mixed view'', and could understand the concern, but the work was significant and had not always been adequately recognised.
Cr Neill's motion was strongly supported by Cr Gerrard Eckhoff, who said the pay rise was ''bizarre''.
He suggested the increase be given to the cash-strapped Southern District Health Board, but acknowledged that would not be possible.
Cr Scott quipped: ''They are not paying their directors enough there; that's what the problem is''.
Cr Neill's motion was approved, although not with full support.
A report to councillors shows the 5.2% pay rise increased councillor pay to $46,600, and a committee chairman's or chairwoman's pay to $55,920.
The ORC chairman's pay rose by 2.7% to $117,176 (including payment for vehicle use).
The pay adjustment is partly determined by reassessing the size of the council's catchment.
