The pay check for each of the 37 Santo Domingo city government aldermen is more than that paid to city Mayor Roberto Salcedo himself. El Caribe newspaper points out that the city councillors now earn RD$64,000 a month to cover their per diems to attend the meetings of the city government, while the city mayor?s salary is a lesser RD$50,000 a month (this sum does not include expenses). Despite the generous compensations the aldermen receive, they have only been convened to meet 17 times so far this year, 10 of which meetings were suspended. Santo Domingo?s aldermen cost tax payers RD$2,368,000 a month.