Cleveland Heights committee reviews wage-and-salary ordinance; seasonal pay increases recommended for immediate action

Council reviewed a proposed wage-and-salary ordinance on April 7 that contains several personnel-compensation changes, including a proposed increase in the mayor’s salary to $150,000 (effective next year), an increase in council salaries to $12,500, and a proposed chair or council president stipend increase (draft figures discussed: $16,500 or $15,500). The ordinance also recommends raising board and commission meeting stipends to $115 per meeting and adding the Landmark Commission to the stipend schedule.

Several council members said they supported immediate adoption of seasonal-pay adjustments for parks and recreation and other seasonal workers so the departments can begin onboarding and recruiting. One councilmember noted a family relationship with pool staff and disclosed that on the record.

Nut graf: Council members discussed process and public engagement on elected-official salary changes, including using Ohio Municipal League surveys for benchmarking and offering the public an opportunity to comment during the reading process. Members suggested the salary changes could be handled on a different timetable than other wage-and-salary items if they want to seek broader public input.

Next steps: The full ordinance remains a first-reading matter; council members asked the administration to circulate supporting salary-survey materials and to schedule readings and public comment. Councilors asked that seasonal-pay increases proceed promptly because of impending hiring events and onboarding dates.