CITY WATCH - UPDATED: Council / Mayor Salaries and Benefits

Council upped their health benefit premiums to full time rates and kept family rates, as is. They're concerned the mayor's Salary Commission isn't diverse. CM Osman Saladunnin noted the commission was all male. In addition to the $300/month stipend CM Jessica Forsythe suggested a ~ $200 / month stipend for transportation/convention was discussed..  CM Melissa Stuart pushed for additional stipends targeted to councilmember's cost of housing and day care.  CM Fields said the other councilmembers should have a stipend since  they have extenuating circumstances, too. Since their deliberations are being dragged out I will file a public records request in September.  -- Yoder

The mayor's base salary last year was $145,000. After further deliberation this June, Council decided to raise her base to $170,000 in 2025 with COLA's increasing the mayor's salary to $182,100 by 2027.  Council used the Park and IT Director's $228,000 salaries as benchmarks.  Council spent most of their time fussing over the car allowance.  They reached a $500/month number with and .65 milage allowance. Cell phone and ORCA is covered.  Councilmember Anderson did much to tease out and clarify benefit information.  

They make about $2,000/month now I think  and I'm thinking, in addition to enhanced health benefits and stipends their salary will double with COLA's included with some benefits matching staff's.   Each councilmember will receive $300/month stipend and .65 milage allowance.  ORCA card was a big thing.  Council is a part-time job, yet many work almost full-time and expect high compensation. Two members need more affordable housing, another has day-care expenses.  

The State requires an independent Salary Commission to make salary decisions for elected officials.  The commission, assigned by Mayor Birney's office last year was dysfunctional, recommending outrageous salaries, not counting benefits of approximately $8,000/year. - $114,00/year. She expunged the commission and on June 26, 2024 lined up commission citizens with stature:  Arnie Tomac and Hank Margeson (past Council Presidents,) Roy Captain (retired Planning Commission Chair and LWSD volunteer,) Arpit Gupa (council candidate,) Dave Cline (city finance experience,) Mousam Krismues and Dwight Ackerman.

-- Bob Yoder, 7/6/2024  opinion