Council members work hard, but only as hard as they want. There are no time requirements or prescribed workloads. Some council members obviously work harder than others, depending on their available time and the demands of their constituents. Council members aren't proposing additional duties or uniform performance standards for themselves in exchange for a full salary. Under the new salary proposal, council members still could come and go as they please, take an interest in whatever issues they want and hold other full-time jobs.
Some council members do experience financial hardship.
But any members who are surprised that council duties cut into their other activities didn't do their homework before they ran. Claims that council members must spend money out of their own pockets in order to serve aren't believable. City- related travel is fully covered by the city, as are all office expenses. In addition, council members can reimburse themselves for personal expenditures related to their council duties from their officeholder accounts, which are funded by contributors. When personal financial constraints become too severe for a council member, it is time to return to private life.