As it claims that it cannot pay its bills or even afford its current payroll, San Bernardino claims it needs the protection of the bankruptcy court while voting to increase salaries for some employees. The city approved over $1 million in additional pay increases for police and firefighters, just days before it is set to appear before a bankruptcy judge to argue that it needs bankruptcy protection. The city claims that its charter forces it to raise the salaries based on a formula used for other cities.

For more read, “Bankrupt San Bernardino approves over $1 million in pay hikes.”