Why is there a discrepancy in Michael Flaherty's Government earnings?

On April 18, 2009 the Boston Herald wrote a story that reported that Michael Flaherty reported $76,366 in earnings from the Boston City Council.

But, I was looking online to follow up what Reuben Kantor from Councilor Ross's office told me about how all the salaries are available online and noticed that Councilor Flaherty was paid $87,499 a 15% difference in reported pay.

I would think a lot of people in Boston would love to declare 15% less than they actually received in pay. There probably is a good explanation for this, and I'd love the Herald to follow up and ask those questions.