PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland City Council approved 2.8 percent pay raise Wednesday for non-represented city employees, including city commissioners.

Early on Friday Mayor Sam Adams' staff said he was definitely taking the raise, which would have bumped his salary from $118,000 to $121,000.

But late Thursday afternoon, Adams told KGW that was a misunderstanding.

 “A lot of people are having to go without pay raises or pay reductions and I want to stand with them I realize this is symbolic but I think it's important symbolism,” he said. “I'm not much for symbolism I like to do things that actually do make a difference.”

The raises came as part of a $400 million general fund budget passed by the council on Wednesday. Commissioners defended the raises as "an issue of fairness" and said unionized members received similar raises in their contracts.

Union members employed by the city will get 3 percent pay raises July 1 as part of their contracts.

The council-approved pay increases for non-unionized city employees affects 1,300 full-time workers and 2,600 part-timers at a cost to taxpayers of $3.7 million.

They come amidst a deepening recession. Portland's unemployment rate average surpassed the state's jobless rate for the first time in six years, by one-tenth of a percent to 12.1 perent. The city is cutting back on services and positions across the board. More: City budget

The mayor's budget cuts $8.8 million in spending by realigning the city's police precincts, shaving 5 percent off each city bureau's budget and increasing public parking fees.

Adams' office took a 5 percent spending cut. So did each city commissioner's office.

Spending was increased on youth violence prevention, alcohol and drug treatment, low-income housing and homelessness services.

Commissioners defended the budget and said they've been able to maintain public safety and essential services in tough times. Details: City pay raises

Commissioner Nick Fish defended the raises, too, pointing out that employees who haven't lost their jobs are shouldering more work.

"This is for hard-working managers, people who are being asked to do more with less," Fish said. "People should not lose ground because of inflation."

The pay raise also applied to Fish himself. He said he would not accept it. Commissioner Amanda Fritz also said she would decline the raise.

However, commissioners Randy Leonard and Dan Saltzman said they would accept the raises.

(KGW Reporters Randy Neves and Pat Dooris contributed to this report)