Executive Lump Sum Merit Increases, Two Standouts

 

December 17, 2025 Exceptional Increases

CAROL HELLAND, Director of Planning and Community Development

Salary:  $237,750  Exceptional Lump Sum Merit Increase: $12,339.54     

Total Salary:  $247,745.63  COLA 3/8%

"The City of Redmond vision of housing individuals that are unhoused is core to our mission. Carol has shown remarkable leadership in putting the City at the forefront of affordable housing efforts. Because of her extraordinary efforts, I am requesting Carol Helland receive a 5% lump sum exceptional merit increase. Carol has demonstrated diligence in supporting affordable housing in Redmond. She has acted as Redmond’s voice on the ARCH Board, worked with Kenmore and Plymouth Housing to transfer the permanent supportive housing project to Redmond, worked with neighboring developments to deal with access issues, worked with Council to transfer land to Plymouth and stood strong in the face of much criticism outside interests. Her commitment to service is evidenced by her openness to engage stakeholders in housing policy and processes while at the same time overseeing planning and community development within the City. For all of the above reasons and many others, Carol should be rewarded with a small token of the City’s appreciation for her remarkable commitment to serve the Redmond community and specifically for her efforts to further Redmond’s housing goals."  - by Melissa Files, COO

LISA MAHER  

Minimum Salary: $206,184  Exceptional Lump Sum Merit Increase $21,390.  3.8% COLA

"The Executive Department is reorganizing and expanding the management capabilities due to growth in the department. Specifically the department will take on three new divisions - City Attorney, Emergency Management, and Grant Management as well as the federal lobbyist contract. Currently there are only two managers in the department, the COO and the Deputy Director. Lisa will be promoted into a new "assistant COO" position to allow the department to have a COO, assistant COO and deputy director. Until the position goes through the compensation study for Exec and Deputy Director positions the title of the position is unknown at this point, nor is the salary set. Once the salary study is done another adjustment to Lisa's salary may be necessary"

-- Source:  Public Record Request, 2026