Roanoke council adopts pay plan, authorizes salary adjustments and stipends effective July 1

Roanoke City Council adopted an ordinance May 12 to establish a pay plan for city officers, employees, council-appointed officers and constitutional officers, including certain salary adjustments, annual pay supplements and monthly stipends for some board and commission members effective July 1, 2025.

The ordinance passed on a 4-2 roll-call vote. Councilor Vollison and Vice Mayor McGuire voted no; Councilor Nash, Councilor Powers, Councilor Hagen and Mayor Cobb voted yes.

Councilor Boleson asked whether the ordinance's change to effective dates for two officers required a separate repeal of earlier ordinances. The city attorney responded that the pay ordinance amends prior ordinance language and changes the effective date to July 1, 2025.

Why it matters: The pay plan sets salaries and stipends that will take effect at the start of the coming fiscal year and affects compensation across multiple municipal offices. Several council members asked procedural questions before voting; two voted no.

Implementation: City human resources and finance staff will implement the pay changes effective July 1, 2025. The council indicated there will be a second reading of certain measures on May 19 when required by ordinance.

Formal action: - Ordinance establishing a pay plan and authorizing salary adjustments and stipends: roll-call vote Nash Aye, Vollison No, Powers Aye, Hagen Aye, Vice Mayor McGuire No, Mayor Cobb Aye; outcome: adopted.

Ending: Council scheduled any required second readings for May 19 and directed staff to prepare implementation steps for the July 1 effective date.