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Bothell council approves change to salary commission to expand membership and add annual review options
Summary
The Bothell City Council voted unanimously to amend the municipal code governing the salary commission, increasing its membership from three to five and establishing a recurring review schedule intended to keep elected‑official compensation current.
The Bothell City Council voted 6‑0 on April 8, 2025, to adopt an ordinance amending Bothell Municipal Code Chapter 2.92 to change how the city’s independent salary commission is constituted and how often it may meet.
City staff proposed two primary changes: increase the salary commission from three to five members appointed by the mayor with council approval, and adjust the commission’s schedule so it convenes every other year for a full review (up to 90 days) with authority to meet for limited adjustment reviews in other years during August and September. The ordinance also establishes staggered, four‑year terms for commission members. Staff said the changes are intended to broaden community representation and provide continuity in reviewing compensation for the mayor, deputy mayor and council members.
Matthew Pruitt, director of Employee and Technology Services, summarized the ordinance and noted staff had drafted the changes to align with state law. “There are two key changes in the ordinance,” Pruitt said, describing the review schedule and the increase in members. He and Eileen Kiefer answered council questions about code language and state requirements.
Councilmember Aldrichs moved the recommended action and Councilmember Kurd seconded. Councilmember McCurdy praised the changes as responsive to feedback from a prior study session and said they would increase stability for the commission’s work. The city clerk called roll for the ordinance vote: Mayor Mason Thompson, Councilmember Aldrichs, Councilmember Kurd, Councilmember Mankie, Councilmember Dodd and Deputy Mayor Alcabra all voted yes; Councilmember Zorns was absent. The motion carried 6‑0.
The ordinance does not list an ordinance number in the meeting packet. Staff said the changes were drafted to align with the cited Revised Code of Washington statute and to help make elected office more accessible by keeping compensation under regular review.
Councilmembers asked staff to notify the public of the code change and to begin the appointment process under the new five‑member structure.
