Committee approves alternate-member per diem for Planning Commission and asks for citywide review of board pay

A Cleveland City Council committee approved an ordinance to set a per‑diem for alternate members of the City Planning Commission and directed staff to review board and commission compensation citywide.

Ordinance 984-2025 specifies an alternate payment amount (discussed in the meeting as $187 per diem) for planning commission alternates. The director said the rate matches the existing alternate payment amount used for other boards and noted alternates typically serve without additional compensation.

Council members raised broader concerns. One council member asked staff to review compensation across city boards and commissions to create a more equitable structure, noting time commitment differences between bodies and that alternates often serve without pay. The director said the alternate rate derives from the Board of Standards and Zoning Appeals alternate rate but could not provide the date of that rate’s adoption during the hearing.

Committee members approved the ordinance as presented and asked staff for follow-up information on board and commission compensation to bring back to the council for a fuller discussion.

Ordinance 984-2025 was approved in committee; staff will return with additional analysis as requested by council members.