VALDOSTA — Valdosta City Council remains split but is likely to approve a 50 percent increase for future council members this week.

Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in council chambers of City Hall to vote on the pay hike for council members who take office in January 2002. If passed, council’s annual pay would go from $10,500 to $15,500, and the mayor’s would increase from $16,500 to $25,000.

Although a four-member majority of the seven-member council favors the pay increase, Councilman Richard Hill of District 6 remains adamantly against it.