Gig Harbor council approves 2025 pay increases for mayor and councilmembers; chair re-elected

Gig Harbor City Council on Jan. 28 unanimously approved salary increases for the mayor and councilmembers and re-elected the council chair.

The council voted to raise the mayor—s monthly pay to $2,300 from the prior level discussed in the record as $2,220; councilmembers— pay was raised to $800 per month from a prior figure discussed in the record as $775. The votes on both salary changes were unanimous.

The salary decisions were the principal substantive item on the agenda. Chair Larry (last name not specified in the transcript) opened discussion noting last year—s mayoral increase had tracked the city employee cost-of-living adjustment. Josh (staff member) said, "The non represented employees got 3.6% earlier in the year," and that the police contract and other nonrepresented groups had similar adjustments. Councilmember Matt Munker said, "I think we should do it just because ... everyone in the city is getting a raise," urging parity for councilmembers who did not receive an adjustment last year.

Nut graf: The council framed the raises as roughly in line with the 3.6% COLA given to nonrepresented city employees, while staff and members flagged a broader structural budget gap that could affect the next biennium. That fiscal context informed members— restraint: several speakers said they would not support larger increases while revenue uncertainties remain.

Details of debate and context

Council members and staff discussed the benefit package available to the mayor. According to the meeting record, the mayor has access to the same medical plans available to city employees but the council did not resolve whether the mayor pays premiums or how subsidy tiers apply. One council member said the exact value of the medical benefit depends on plan tier (family, single, etc.).

Council members reviewed recent local revenue efforts: the transcript records that a proposed levy lift failed and that a public safety sales tax increasing sales tax by 1.1 percentage points passed. Staff described the city—s near-term budget position as "healthy" for the current biennium because of prior spending reductions and an elevated beginning fund balance, but warned of a structural deficit expected to reappear in the following biennium as routine revenues do not keep pace with recurring expenses.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chair (re-election of Larry to chair): motion and second; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approval of minutes (April 24, 2024): motion and second; outcome: approved unanimously. - Mayor salary: motion to set mayor pay at $2,300 per month (approximately a 3.6% increase from the prior level discussed in the record); outcome: approved unanimously. - Councilmember salary: motion to set councilmember pay at $800 per month (raised from a prior level discussed in the record as $775); outcome: approved unanimously.

The council held no public commenters on the item (the record shows no members of the public present or online) and ended the meeting after asking for new business and receiving none. Members indicated budgetary pressures will return as an issue in the next 1-2 years and that the council will need to consider longer-term revenue or expenditure changes.

Ending: The council—s pay adjustments take effect per the city—s normal payroll timing (not specified in the record). Council members signaled they expect to return to budget-balancing work in the coming biennium.