The Urbana City Council debated and then approved new salary schedules for elected city positions on Oct. 28, 2024, including an amended increase for the mayor that starts at $85,000 in the first year with 3% annual increases thereafter.

The Committee of the Whole presented ordinance 2024‑10034 to set salaries for elected officers for the 2025–2029 term. Mayor Marlin proposed aligning the mayor’s increases with the city clerk’s adopted increases to maintain a historical differential between the two offices; she described the intent as preserving a salary distinction that reflects the greater complexity of the mayor’s responsibilities. "For over 12 years, the salary differential between the two offices has ranged from 13.5% to 15.5%," the mayor said, urging adjustments that maintain a distinction.

Council member James offered an amendment that set the mayor’s salary at $85,000 for the first year with subsequent 3% annual increases (approximately $87,550 in year two, roughly $90,176.50 in year three and about $92,882 in year four). The amendment was seconded and passed on roll call.

Following that amendment, the council voted on the mayor and city clerk salaries together and approved them by roll call. The council then divided the question to vote separately on alderperson salaries; after discussion about accessibility and compensation for the time commitment, alderperson pay was approved as proposed in the packet. The alderperson salary discussion included council members weighing whether increased pay helps broaden candidate pools and offsets time commitments.

Why it matters: elected‑official pay affects civic recruitment and the city’s comparative compensation posture for part‑time elected roles as well as its budget baseline. Council members framed the changes as an effort to keep salaries competitive while distinguishing between positions of differing complexity.

Implementation notes: the approved schedules will be incorporated into the city budget and take effect per the dates listed in the ordinance. Staff noted the increases for elected officials fall within available recurring funds in the FY2025 baseline and within the city’s financial‑policy limits.

Votes and process: the mayor‑and‑clerk portion passed after the amendment; alderperson salaries were separately adopted following a divided‑question procedure and roll call.