Council to schedule study session after judge, staff raise concerns about compensation process

City manager and council discussed the municipal judge compensation process and agreed to a study session after court staff and council signaled they interpret the existing policy differently.

City Manager Sean Lewis reported staff had prepared a compensation-analysis scope in response to direction from the December 2 meeting but the municipal court asked staff in writing to reconsider and suggested the time might be better spent rewriting the policy used to set the judge's salary. The court later confirmed it considered the judge's 2025 salary set and asked staff to follow existing procedures. Lewis told council staff believes the existing council policy is ambiguous and that a clearer policy would reduce recurring disagreements.

Council members expressed differing views. Some members preferred a limited cost‑of‑living adjustment that would not require a full compensation study. Others supported an independent, market-based analysis if council contemplated a larger increase. Member Noonencamp asked staff to create a transparent process. Member Ward urged protecting home rule and proper fiscal stewardship. Member Prane said he preferred to avoid expensive litigation and recommended complying with the law where appropriate.

Council direction: staff will not proceed immediately with the outside compensation analysis; instead, staff will prepare a study-session briefing that (1) summarizes the current policy and how staff interprets it, (2) summarizes the court's concerns and interpretation, (3) compares other municipalities' approaches for elected or appointed municipal judges where relevant, and (4) proposes options for a revised council policy defining steps and required data for any future compensation adjustments. The manager said he would consult with the judge and court administrator ahead of the study session.