Photo via Flickr NAPLES, Fla. A recommendation was made to double the salaries of the City Naples’ mayor and council members. The City Council appointed a blue ribbon committee that met Friday to consider pay increases for the mayor, who makes $30,000 annually, and the council, whose members make $23,500 a year. The committee made a recommendation to the council, which would then decide whether to approve a change. City Manager Bill Moss argues the existing salaries make it prohibitive for the average citizen to hold a seat. “The salary offered appears to be punitive for those who own a business, are employed, or do not have significant financial assets,” Moss said in a letter to the committee. A raise would be in recognition of what are essentially full-time jobs. The mayor works more than 40 hours a week and council members average 32 a week. MORE: 2 Naples firefighters displaced after Hurricane Irma They attend council meetings, serve on other boards, attend conferences and trainings, work community events and speak with constituents daily, City Clerk Patricia L. Rambosk said in a memo sent to the committee. They also played a role in disaster response amid Hurricane Irma. The committee voted 5 to 2 to recommend the mayor get $50,000 a year and city council members get $40,000 a year. The committee is free to make any recommendation, including a pay cut, a city official said. Leaders of other Southwest Florida cities also make modest salaries. The mayor of Cape Coral takes in $36,600 and the Fort Myers mayor makes $42,000. MORE: Portion of Naples Pier to remain closed after Irma