Lake Stevens salary commission backs modest raises for mayor and council, schedules public hearing

Lake Stevens — The Lake Stevens Salary Commission on Oct. 30 agreed by consensus to present “scenario 2” at a public hearing that would apply the nonrepresented cost-of-living adjustment to the mayor and a smaller, flat monthly increase to city council members.

Under the scenario the commission discussed, the mayor’s proposed increase aligns with the nonrepresented COLA recommendation (about 3.24 percent), while each of the seven council members would receive a $25-per-month raise (about a 2.56 percent increase). Commissioners said those figures keep compensation broadly comparable with nearby cities and roughly in line with this year’s Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (2.5 percent).

The commission’s discussion cited staff calculations of projected incremental costs under scenario 2: roughly $4,000 annually attributable to the mayor’s increase and about $21,100 in incremental annual cost for all council members combined; speakers characterized the total additional annual cost as modest. Commissioners noted some confusion in earlier calculations but said the aggregate fiscal impact on the city budget appeared small and within the timing constraints of the city’s existing budget assumptions.

Commissioners discussed principle-based factors behind the recommendation: that the mayor’s position is effectively full time and therefore more likely to warrant a full COLA, while council is a part-time role; and that comparison to median and average salaries in peer cities keeps the proposed levels in a moderate range. Commissioners also noted that city labor groups discussed in the recent budget hearing (Police Guild, Teamsters and other represented groups) received comparable COLA figures this year, and that vacancies have affected year-to-date wage spending in the general fund.

By consensus the commission moved to present scenario 2 at a public hearing and to cancel a tentative Nov. 6 follow-up meeting. Commissioners agreed to hold the public hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. in Conference Room A at City Hall (staff said the room can accommodate a limited public presence and that overflow could listen from a lobby area). Staff will prepare the hearing materials and bring minutes from the prior meeting as an action item before the hearing.

The commission concluded its Oct. 30 meeting with a voice vote to adjourn; the session ended at about 6:24 p.m.

What’s next: The commission will present the recommended compensation scenario at the Nov. 20 public hearing. Any final change to salaries will depend on the public hearing record and subsequent steps required by city process.