Bothell council debates more frequent salary-committee reviews; directs staff to draft code options

Bothell City Council members discussed whether to allow salary committees to meet more often than every two years and directed staff to draft code amendments with options for more frequent or flexible convenings.

The discussion came during a Feb. 4 study session focused on the city's salary committee process. Director of Employee Technology Services Matt Pruitt reviewed state law and the municipal code governing the committee, summarized the committee's 2024 work and the factors it considered, and noted the committee's recent recommendations: a 33% adjustment to base compensation, creation of a low-income stipend option, and continued access to the city's deferred-compensation plan for council members.

Councilmembers said they were motivated by equity and recruitment concerns: that current compensation and other barriers make service difficult for people without flexible incomes, and that neighboring cities have been revising compensation more frequently. Supporters said more frequent review could help the city retain diverse candidates and respond to rapid regional shifts. Other councilmembers cautioned about staff workload and the optics of holding more frequent reviews for elected officials when most city labor contracts are negotiated on multi-year schedules.

Pruitt told the council that state law (RCW 35.21.15) allows either a standing salary commission or an ordinance-driven process, and he described how the current Bothell Municipal Code (chapter 2.92) implements the commission pathway. Under current code, the council appoints members (the mayor selects appointees, confirmed by council), committees hold public hearings and their decisions are subject to referendum. Pruitt said the 2024 committee emphasized access to office and equity more than past committees and used outside consultants and Equity Office guidance in its deliberations.

Councilmember Kurt and others told the committee that they would like staff to return with draft code language that would remove the explicit restriction that limits convening to even-numbered years and that would offer options such as an annual check-in, a standing commission structure with staggered terms or mayoral discretion to convene ad hoc. Deputy City Manager Tony Call and staff said they would review other jurisdictions' ordinances, check legal compliance with the relevant RCW, and present options and recommendations at a future meeting.

No formal action or vote was taken; staff recorded direction to prepare amendments and options for council consideration. The council also discussed non-salary items the committee raised that could be considered in the future, including cost-of-living adjustments, childcare stipends, and transportation assistance, and agreed those were appropriate topics for future committees to study.

The city will return to the council with draft municipal-code options and an analysis of staff workload and budget implications before any ordinance is proposed.

Ending: The study-session discussion closed with staff committing to return with options that reflect council direction and legal constraints.