Richmond's next mayor won't take office with a hefty raise.

Legislation that would have increased the mayor's annual salary to $150,000 from $125,000 is set to be struck at the request of its patron, City Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell.

"I just want to kill it," she said. "It's not the right time. We've got other issues to deal with."

The 20 percent raise was proposed to take effect Jan. 1, to coincide with the start of the new mayoral term. Fifteen city government employees earn more than Mayor L. Douglas Wilder, according to city salary data.

Still, the idea of the raise was panned by several candidates and prospective candidates for mayor when it was introduced a month ago. The legislation was to be discussed by a council committee yesterday.

The candidates for mayor in the Nov. 4 election are lawyer and political consultant Paul Goldman; attorney Robert J. Grey Jr.; Del. Dwight Clinton Jones, D-Richmond; City Council President William J. Pantele; and architect Lawrence E. Williams Sr. -- Will Jones