Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted to boost the mayor's salary by 2.5 percent annually beginning in 2016.

The 2015 salary for the mayor, a post held by Edward D. Hozza Jr., is $85,301. Pay hikes during his four-year term totaled 1 percent.

The vote means the person elected mayor in November and seated in January 2016 will be paid $87,433 in 2016, $89,618 in 2017, $91,859 in 2018 and $94,155 in 2019.

For awhile it appeared the vote on the mayor's salary would be delayed until a subsequent meeting. However, other issues relating to mayoral compensation can be settled by a separate ordinance, according to Solicitor Charles Fonzone.

"One way or other, we'll have to do it," Commissioners President Linda Snyder said.

She said the board has to vote on the matter since candidates running for mayor must know the salary when they file nominating petitions.

Commissioner Gerard Palagonia abstained from the vote because he is running for mayor.

An announcement from Hozza is expected soon. Both men are Democrats.