UPDATED: Much to do about the Mayor's salary

President Richard Cole
ran the salary review session

UPDATED:  The Mayor's salary for the next four calendar years will be $125,000, up from $106K.  Council made the decision 7-0 in their last meeting.  When you count a $6,000 annual car allowance the Mayor's total taxable compensation is $131,000. 

According to HR Director Kerry Sievers, "The Mayor's benefits package is approximately 30% ($39,300) of total compensation."  So, the mayor's  taxable compensation plus *benefits during the next mayoral term is $170,300/year.  He gets the same COLA as non-union staff.  (Do you think the Mayor is paid enough? to much? to little? Take the poll on the right).

As a reference, Councillor Stilin quoted the current highest paid city director salary at ~ $149,888.  Sievers said up to a 15% annual bonus may be awarded, plus benefits  Next year, this city director's compensation & benefits package could be as high as $224,082.

The Redmond Mayor is a "strong mayor" which means he is an elected representative AND the business manager of the city . The Mayor is Redmond's CEO.   In city council's January 11 Study Session, Councillor Hank Margeson said our mayor must be a professional and have special skill sets to be able to run the government.   Mayor Marchione has a Deputy City Administrator who manages city staff.  But, the Mayor stands at the helm, running regional and city affairs. 

Council President Cole, Carson, Stilin and other members agreed the Mayor's salary must be high enough to attract a professional CEO, but not too high owing to the job's subjective elements of public service and altruism.  (Altruism:  "unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others".)   According to Mr. Cole, the filing deadline for candidates wishing to run for mayor is the first week of June, 2011.  Same for council.  READ MORE >>

Councillor Pat Vache' stated council should not "look at the incumbent" when deciding on the Mayor's salary.  Interestingly, Mayor Marchione (and Mayor Ives) were sitting across the same table with Council and commenting during Council's review.  A few days later, John Marchione filed to run.  Vache' alluded to the salary of a private sector CEO as compared to a public sector CEO.   He recommended a salary range of $125K-130K.

Stilin arrived at $128K by discounting the highest paid director's salary -- similar to "a tithe" to factor in altruism .   Margeson referred to the historic salary increases of Redmond mayors from 1987 - 2005 to arrive at  $120-125K.  Councillor Hank Myers considered the broader scope of the job from years ago, recommending $120K-128K.  Councillor Kim Allen's range was the lowest at $120K-125K citing the poor economy.  Myers found council consensus at $125K with a review every four years. 

Human Resources looked at eight cities for comparables:  Auburn, Edmonds, Kent, Lynwood, Renton, Federal Way, and Everett. All have "strong mayors" with an average salary of $119,000, according to Allen.  Issaquah has a strong mayor but wasn't used as a comparable.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Redmond Chamber photo (Internet)

Sources:  Council Study Session, 1/11/2011
Council Regular Meeting, 2/1/2011
Letter from Kerry Sievers, 1/14/20l11
Free Merriam-Webster dictionary
State Public Disclosure Commission for candidate filing and campaign donations.
* Benefits are nontaxable, except for most retirement programs