Norwalk council debates modest pay increase tied to mayor’s salary and authority to hire council staff

Council member Nora proposed language to change council compensation from the longstanding $600 stipend to a formula tying council pay to a percentage of the mayor’s salary. “I put forward 1 example… which was to tie the council member's salary to a percentage of the mayor's salary,” she said, citing a 3% example that would yield roughly $5,000 per council member. The proposal prompted a broad debate. Supporters said the current low stipend precludes participation by working‑class residents and limits the pool of candidates; Council member Nicole said compensation helps address an equity and access problem so people who cannot forego paid work can serve. Opponents said the timing was poor during fiscal uncertainty, and several members worried the increase would be perceived as tone‑deaf even if it were modest. Council member Greg asked whether a compensation increase could be a separate ballot question so voters decide. Council members and staff discussed alternatives and legal mechanics. Attorney Steve explained that the city could either put a compensation provision into the charter (which is approved by referendum) or manage it through the budget/ordinance process; council members noted that, under state law, legislative body compensation requires voter approval and placing it in the charter could set an automatic adjustment mechanism (for example, a percent of the mayor’s salary) rather than requiring repeated referenda. A related amendment would let the council appoint additional staff. Nora and others said the council’s capacity to investigate budgets and respond to constituent requests is limited by staffing; she suggested authority to create and fill additional council positions by majority vote, with positions to be posted and approved via existing hiring processes and budget appropriation steps. Critics said the proposal risks incremental staff growth without clear job descriptions and costs; proponents replied that the authority would be exercised only if the council voted to create and fund positions, and several council members suggested starting with a lower‑cost communications assistant or an assistant for the assistant city clerk. No formal votes were taken. Council members placed both the compensation language and the staff‑authority proposal on the list of items for debate and possible separate ballot presentation before the July 22 meeting.