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Committee adopts plan to redistribute alder compensation after redistricting; mayoral pay deferred
Summary
Committee approved a motion to redistribute the aggregate compensation previously paid to 16 alder positions across the incoming 12-seat council (raise from $5,400 to $7,200 annually per alder based on that redistribution); action takes effect after the next election and mayoral pay discussions were deferred.
The Government Affairs Committee voted to redistribute the aggregate compensation currently allocated for 16 alder positions across the incoming 12-seat common council. The motion effectively increases individual alder stipends from $5,400 to $7,200 annually (a 33% increase) to reflect the reduction in seats from 16 to 12; the committee did not change the mayor’s compensation and deferred that matter for a future council or budget discussion.
City Administrator/Staff explained that the redistribution reflects the change in council size following the 2022 referendum and that state rules prohibit an elected body from voting itself an immediate raise — any change takes effect only upon the succeeding election. Committee members discussed the historical context (prior adjustments, Act 10 and WRS contributions) and the rationale that the remaining 12 alderpersons would be responsible for the same aggregate budgeted amount.
Alder Moldenhauer moved the redistribution motion; Alder Arnie seconded. The committee approved the motion unanimously. The committee specifically declined to act on mayoral pay, leaving that for a future council or budget process. Staff noted the effective timing: alder compensation changes would apply starting with the new terms after the April 2026 election for alder positions; mayoral pay would be considered later (April 2028 for the mayoral election cycle).
