City council discusses potential pay increase amid budget concerns

The City Council Study Session held on July 1, 2025, in Longmont, Colorado, focused on several key issues, including discussions on council compensation and public input opportunities.

The session began with council members addressing the topic of compensation for city council members. A member highlighted concerns raised by local business representatives regarding the adequacy of council pay. They noted that, given Longmont's population of over 100,000 and its budget size, the current compensation of $1,000 per month—set to increase to $1,500—may still be insufficient. Comparisons were made to smaller cities with populations around 1,000 that offer higher monthly payments of $600 to their council members.

Councilor Rodriguez expressed interest in further exploring this sensitive topic, indicating a willingness to consider suggestions for improving council pay. However, a motion related to this discussion did not receive a second and subsequently failed.

Following the compensation discussion, the meeting transitioned to the public comment segment, allowing residents to voice their opinions and concerns. The first speaker listed was Terry Moore, who was invited to share his thoughts with a three-minute time limit.

Overall, the meeting highlighted ongoing discussions about council compensation and the importance of public engagement in local governance. Further deliberations on council pay are anticipated in future sessions as council members seek to address community feedback.