Bellevue Council voted Tuesday to include director of administrative services Doug Sample in a cafeteria benefits plan that could net the new DAS another $3,600 per year.

As part of the cafeteria plan, employees can choose not to be covered by the borough’s health insurance, and instead be compensated $300 per month. Some members of council said that Sample had agreed, as part of his employment contract with the borough last summer, not to take part in the benefits plan, and that his starting salary was increased because of that.

Solicitor Tom McDermott said that although Sample waived benefits in the contract, there was a consensus that he would be eligible for the opt-out payment.

Council member Mark Panichella said that the borough was legally obligated to offer Sample the opt-oput payment if it was being offered to other employees.

“Legally we have to offer it to him, but legally he doesn’t have to take it,” said council member Jane Braunlich.

Council member Linda Woshner said the payments constituted a 6 percent salary increase for the DAS, and that the money could be used for many important projects in the borough.

The motion to include Sample was approved in a 6-2 vote with Braunlich and Wo0shner opposed.