SPANISH FORT, Ala. — With a few unanswered questions remaining, the City Council did not vote during Monday’s regular meeting on a proposed operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Because the city’s current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, five days before the next council meeting, the body voted instead to accept a “continuing budget” resolution that keeps operating funds level with 2010 figures until a vote is taken on the proposed $6.17 million budget for 2011.

City leaders are not required by law to adopt an annual budget but do so of their own volition.

Substantial salary increases for both the judge and prosecutor who have handled the city’s judicial responsibilities for the past six years elicited the most discussion during the council’s informal work session prior to Monday’s meeting.

With city employees budgeted to receive only across-the-board 2.5 percent anniversary raises, District 1 Councilman Dennis Dismuke questioned the prudence of approving a more than three-fold increase in the judge’s salary to $18,000 and a nearly six-fold increase for the city prosecutor to $16,200.

“This is the first time in six years they’ve ever come to me about money,” said Mayor Joe Bonner.

Bonner said he arrived at the proposed salary increases by examining other municipalities of comparable size and court case load. Robertsdale presented the most equitable comparison, and he said he is willing to “take the flak” for bringing the salaries in line with neighboring cities.

“We’ve had a bargain for a number of years,” said District 2 Councilman Mike McMillan.

Dismuke suggested considering phasing in the increases, and Bonner said he welcomes amendments to the proposed budget.

“I’m just not comfortable with it all at once, this amount,” Dismuke said.

District 5 Councilwoman Mary Brabner also asked whether the council should consider opening the position to new applicants considering the proposed compensation increase might encourage professionals who ruled out the possibility six years ago to apply.

District 4 Councilman Tom Sawyer said considering the growth the city has experienced, he views the salary increases as “catching up.”

Sawyer also questioned whether phasing in the increases would become “cumbersome” and said he didn’t feel comfortable committing to something future councils would not necessarily be obligated to uphold.

“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” Sawyer said of the proposed increases.