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Green Bay council approves raising mayoral pay to $140,000 after hours-long debate
Summary
The Green Bay Common Council voted 9–3 to increase the mayor’s annual salary to $140,000 following a multi-hour discussion that included consultant findings, competing amendment proposals and questions about comparators and budget impacts.
The Green Bay Common Council voted 9–3 to raise the mayor’s annual salary to $140,000 after extended debate over consultant recommendations, local income comparisons and competing amendment proposals.
Council members debated multiple figures during the meeting, including a staff-recommended $128,000, a consultant-recommended midpoint of about $114,000, and proposals for $120,000 and $140,000. Alder Grant offered an amendment to revert the proposal to the staff-recommended $128,000; that amendment failed 3–9. A subsequent motion to approve the higher amount carried 9–3.
Supporters of the higher figure argued the mayor’s responsibilities and market conditions justify paying closer to comparable municipalities’ upper percentiles. One council member said the role requires recruiting and negotiating with major partners and that a salary in the $140,000 range would “support more people running for the position and more options for our community.” Opponents cited taxpayer concerns and the consultant’s lower recommendation.
Council members and staff cited background figures during debate: the mayor’s salary in 2019 was recorded at $92,221.12; the consultant’s analysis produced an average (all comparables) near $114,000 and assigned 25th/50th/75th-percentile benchmarks in the packet; staff had recommended $128,000. Several councillors and staff noted that no single municipality is an exact comparator and that pay varies with local structure (mayor vs. city manager) and local cost of living.
Dr. Olson, a city staff member who responded to questions about the study, said she would follow up with specific consulting costs when asked. Multiple council members asked for more detailed apples-to-apples comparisons but also said the committee’s recommendation reflected the demands of the office.
The council advanced the associated ordinance to a second and final reading following the vote.
The vote followed motions and roll-call procedure and was recorded 9–3 in favor of the $140,000 salary; the attempt to amend to $128,000 failed 3–9.
