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Kalispell council discusses stipend, reimbursement and making members 'whole' during budget workshop
Summary
Council members debated whether to increase stipends or reimburse lost wages so serving on council does not require employees to use vacation or unpaid leave; staff were directed to update compensation figures for a follow-up report in June.
Kalispell City Council members spent a substantial portion of a budget workshop debating whether the city should adjust council compensation and reimburse members for lost wages so that serving does not require employees to take unpaid time off.
Council members and public commenters argued the current pay and reimbursement structure discourages potential candidates who cannot afford to lose pay or vacation time. Several speakers urged the council to ensure that service does not create financial hardship for working members.
Council discussion focused on practical fixes rather than a single, final change: options discussed included a modest stipend increase, a cost-of-living adjustment tied to a formula, clarifying whether employees must use vacation time to attend required meetings or training, and adding language to a resolution to require that employees be made “whole” if they lose pay to serve. One councilmember asked staff to provide updated compensation numbers to compare against other cities and to show how small percentage increases would affect take-home amounts.
City staff did not present a final ordinance or vote on a new compensation level during the session. Instead, the council directed staff to update the salary/compensation figures and return with a report in June that would include a clearer salary-dilution analysis and options for a formulaic adjustment. The discussion also included reminders that a stipend is optional for members who decline it and that any changes would be subject to the council’s formal adoption process.
Supporters of change stressed candidate recruitment and representation: they said making members financially whole could broaden who can run for office. Opponents and cautious members raised concerns about optics, escalation over time, and the public reaction to raising elected-official pay.
The council did not take a formal vote on an ordinance, levy, or compensation change at this workshop; it moved instead to gather updated data and to revisit the matter at a future meeting.
The council also discussed minor procedural points connected to any future change, including whether to allow members to opt out of a stipend and whether increases should be tied to a fixed formula to avoid ad hoc adjustments.
