Prince George's County commission weighs pay-adjustment options for council and executive

The Prince George's County Compensation Review Commission met Sept. 3, 2025, and reviewed salary-adjustment methods for county council members and the county executive, including Consumer Price Index (CPI)-linked adjustments, caps, and flat-dollar or flat-percentage increases. The commission approved its June minutes by roll call during the meeting.

Legislative attorney Josh Hamlin, who presented the compensation illustrations, told commissioners that the projected tables use a 2025 base tied to most recently reported CPI-U figures and that “the law requires that it be adjusted by the September number, which hasn't been released yet.” Hamlin said the backup materials include multiple scenarios — 1%–5% annual increases, CPI adjustments with a 3% cap, fixed-dollar increases, and hybrids such as a one-year freeze followed by fixed-dollar increases.

The commission was briefed that the tables presented do not include the 52.5% increase that applies to the chair and vice chair in some scenarios; separate tables show projections for the county executive. Hamlin noted the 2025 base used an estimate (July CPI-U at about 2.7%) and that a slightly higher September figure (about 2.9%) was reported after the tables were prepared.

Commissioners discussed historical practice and timing. Members noted that the 2013–14 compensation review recommended a 5% adjustment in 2014 and 2015 and observed that CPI-linked adjustments have at times produced years with little or no automatic increase. The commission confirmed that any pay changes it recommends would take effect at the beginning of the next term of office; members discussed the December 2026 swearing-in as the relevant start of the new term.

The commission set an internal schedule of meetings to complete its work: Sept. 17, Oct. 1, Oct. 15 and Nov. 5, with the formal recommendation deadline to the County Council on Dec. 15, 2025. Commissioners also requested additional materials for future meetings, including historical charts that align CPI changes with prior commission recommendations, updated finance information from county finance/OMB staff and an updated figure for the planning board chair position.

Administrative action: the commission approved the June minutes by roll call. The minutes approval was recorded as passed with five affirmative votes.

The meeting concluded with staff offers to produce additional salary-scenario illustrations and with the commission scheduling follow-up meetings to finalize recommendations for submission to the County Council.