The South Bend Common Council passed a bill to increase salary caps for seven city employees after Mayor Pete Buttigieg said he was having trouble filing the positions.

Buttigieg told the council the most qualified candidates for city controller, city engineer, city attorney, director of public works, executive director of community and economic development, director of human resources, and director of information technology required salaries above the current maximum salary.

"I don't believe in spending money on anything we don't have to. That's why I turned down my own pay raise, but in this case I believe that these pay raises are going to pay for themselves when we get the kind of talented leadership who know how to save tax dollars through better management, " said Buttigieg.

It also introduces a new position, the deputy city controller, with a proposed $72,000 annual salary.

Nearly all council members who have previously served on the council voted against the bill. Only Council President Derek Dieter joined the four new members in approving the bill, 5-4.

"There were more split votes tonight on all the issues tonight than I think I've seen in the 16 years I've been a member of the council and I think that's a good thing because it stimulates discussion, it's probably going to get some air time, we'll find out soon. We'll get some feedback and feedback actually is something that can be very beneficial to everybody," said Councilman David Varner, who voted against increasing the caps.

Buttigieg told the council the money for the increases will come from a salary increase budget established by the previous council.