Council approves pay increase, administrative and transparency changes for Metro Board of Equalization

The Metropolitan Council on a recorded vote approved a substituted resolution that raises compensation for the Metropolitan Board of Equalization (MBOE) and requests administrative changes to strengthen perceived independence and public access.

The substitute increases pay to $100 per day for the chair and $90 per day for members, and asks the Department of Finance to administer those payments for fiscal year 2026. The substitute also requests that the Metro Clerk hold audio/video recordings for public records purposes and asks that General Services (later clarified in committee discussion) work with the assessor’s office to find an accessible meeting location for the volunteer board.

Sponsor Councilwoman Benedick (introduced the substitute) said the changes “strengthen independence” and improve transparency so the public has confidence in the appeals process. Assessor Wilhoite (identified in the meeting as the assessor of property) said she supports raising compensation and supported relocating the board out of the assessor’s office but objected to the assessor’s office being responsible for finding the new space; she asked that general services or the mayor’s office handle placement and cautioned that relocation should not hinder volunteers or staff who support the board.

Officials from the mayor’s office, finance and general services described logistical concerns and said additional interdepartmental coordination was needed before any permanent move. Director Darby (legal/administration) explained that the resolution itself requests actions (nonbinding) and that an ordinance would be required to effect binding structural changes, including any permanent transfer of the board out of the assessor’s office.

Committee members asked that a late-file amendment substitute the mayor’s office reference with General Services for locating space and discussed whether administrative budget lines should be set in the FY27 budget process. Finance staff (Mary J. Wiggins) said the FY26 payments can be administered but that long-term budgeting would be handled in the next budget cycle.

After discussion and agreement to file a late amendment if needed, the substitute passed; the committee then approved the resolution as substituted. The substitute set the effective date in late October and directed relevant offices to coordinate; committee members requested a roughly six-week window for follow-up and reporting.

The council recorded no roll-call counts in the committee transcript; the chair called the voice votes and announced motion carries for both substitute and final approval.