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Homewood council sets pay at $7,500 for councilors, $15,000 for mayor after debate
Summary
After debate and a failed amendment to raise council pay, the City of Homewood approved an ordinance setting the mayor’s salary at $15,000 and each council member’s salary at $7,500 for the 2025–2029 term; the ordinance passed 9–1.
The City of Homewood City Council on Feb. 10 voted 9–1 to adopt an ordinance setting the mayor’s salary at $15,000 and each council member’s salary at $7,500 per year for the 2025–2029 term.
Councilors debated changes to the finance committee’s recommendation before the vote. Councilor Olliman proposed an amendment to raise council pay to $12,000 annually; the amendment failed. After the failed amendment, the council voted on the ordinance recommended by the Finance Committee and approved it by roll call, 9–1.
The ordinance includes language that the compensation is the total pay for councilors and the mayor and does not include social security, retirement, or insurance benefits; reimbursements for actual expenses are allowed. During a first reading, the ordinance text cited Alabama Code section 36-7-2 and stated the ordinance would replace sections 2-4 and 2-5 of the city code and become effective Nov. 3, 2025.
Members who spoke in the debate emphasized different rationales. Councilor Olliman said the salary should be higher to reflect expected workload, arguing ‘‘the salary should reflect the investment and time commitment that folks are making.’’ Councilor Sims noted inflation and historical comparisons, saying the inflation-adjusted figure from a prior benchmark was about $12,600. Other councilors described the increase from the 1984-era pay level as meant to make service more accessible for residents who cannot shoulder uncompensated public service.
The Finance Committee had voted 4–0 to recommend $7,500 for councilors and $15,000 for the mayor; the committee report and ordinance text were read into the record during the meeting. The council identified the ordinance as ordinance number 29-25.
The council distinguished the failed amendment (which sought $12,000 for councilors) from the final ordinance; the amendment did not carry. The final vote result and the ordinance number were announced by the mayor after roll call.
The ordinance directs that compensation be payable in equal monthly installments and states the provisions are severable if any part is later declared invalid.
