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Council refers charter amendment to tie council pay to area median income to April ballot
Summary
Council introduced a charter amendment to set council salaries by charter and allow future increases by ordinance tied to area median income; the measure was introduced and referred to the April 8, 2025 ballot on a 6-1 vote and a public hearing was set for Feb. 5, 2025.
Grand Junction City Council voted 6-1 to introduce a proposed charter amendment that would change how council salaries are set and authorize future salary increases by ordinance tied to area median income (AMI). The measure was referred to the April 8, 2025 municipal ballot and a public hearing was scheduled for Feb. 5, 2025.
City Attorney John Shaver presented draft language and told council staff would refine explanatory text between first and second reading. Mayor Herman said the proposal is intended to increase the pool of potential candidates and emphasized that "no member of council who's sitting here today would be eligible for that" if voters approve the measure, meaning the intent is to make the change prospective.
The proposed amendment would set a mechanism that adjusts council compensation proportionally to AMI, with example percentage increases discussed by council: about 22 percent for the council president and 15 percent for other council members (staff estimated those percentages would translate to roughly $30,000 per year for council members under the example AMI calculation referenced in discussion). Supporters said AMI ties compensation to local economic conditions and avoids using national or non-local indices.
Debate centered on whether the change should apply to incumbents if they are reelected, whether AMI is the clearest metric for voters, and whether a fixed dollar amount or an inflation index would be preferable. Council asked staff to research how other Colorado cities handle similar adjustments and to provide examples and sample ballot language before second reading. Several council members urged moving the measure to the ballot promptly because of upcoming certification deadlines.
A member of the public, Tom Freeman, voiced support for tying council pay to AMI, saying it better reflects local conditions than inflation alone.
The motion to introduce the ordinance and set a Feb. 5 public hearing was made by Council Member Kennedy and seconded by Council Member Stout; the motion passed 6-1.
