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Scranton council advances pay increases for mayor, city council and tax collector despite public opposition
Summary
The Scranton City Council voted to introduce ordinances that would raise the mayor's salary to $95,000, council members to $18,000 and the tax collector to $72,000 effective Jan. 1, 2026. Introductions passed after public comments decrying the timing amid homelessness and recent rent increases.
The Scranton City Council voted to introduce three separate ordinances to raise elected-official pay, moving forward proposals that would set the mayor’s salary at $95,000, city council members at $18,000 and the tax collector at $72,000 effective Jan. 1, 2026. The measures were introduced after public comment and council discussion; the mayor and council proposals passed introduction by a 3-2 vote and the tax-collector proposal moved forward by majority vote.
The proposals drew repeated criticism during the citizens participation period, when multiple residents and local union leaders urged council to prioritize housing, homelessness and existing municipal costs instead of raising salaries. Joan Hodowan, a Scranton resident, referenced the city’s charter when questioning the timing:…
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