(Detroit, MI)  --  A Pew Charitable Trust survey of the largest cities nationwide shows that the Detroit City Council is the most expensive in the country.  Detroit spends about one percent of its total general fund budget, or around 13 million dollars, for a nine-member council and staffers.  By comparison, New York City spends only 0.1 percent of its budget on its city council.  Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh is skeptical of the study, citing that Detroit's council is "really a seven day a week job," compared to some cities which have part-time councils.  Thomas Ginsburg, project manager of the report, counters that it is a fair comparison, since most council members nationwide feel that their council duties are a full-time job.