Andover council approves doubling of mayor and council stipends; effective Jan. 1, 2026

The Andover City Council voted to double annual stipends for the mayor and council members and set the increase to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Council member Paul Wimmer moved to double the stipends; the motion passed in a recorded vote that the city attorney said was 5–2. Council later voted on an amendment to make the pay change effective Jan. 1, 2026; that motion passed 5–1.

Why it matters: the council’s action changes yearly pay for elected officials from the current amounts to substantially higher annual stipends. Jennifer McCausland, the city administrator, read the current amounts into the record: "For mayor, it is $8,280 per year. For council members, it is $5,405." Under the approved change those sums would double to $16,560 for the mayor and $10,810 for council members.

Supporters said modest stipends help encourage broader candidate pools and offset time and incidental expenses. Council member Bill Hamilton, who earlier explained his recommendation during discussion, said the raise was intended to “incentivize the next generation” and “help direct the strategic direction of this town.” Council member Paul Wimmer, who put the formal motion on the floor, said splitting the amount over payroll would be administratively acceptable to staff.

Opponents raised concerns about timing, optics and whether the council had adequate comparative data to justify the change. At points the debate became personal: Mayor Ronnie Price said he would not place the item on the agenda originally and expressed opposition to moving ahead; he also said he would accept the January 2026 effective date. Council members and the mayor also disputed recollections of earlier workshop discussions.

Legal and procedural notes: City attorney J.T. Klaus reminded the body the mayor sets the agenda but the governing body can add items by majority vote. During the debate both charter provisions and state law on attendance and removal were referenced when council members asked whether pay should be tied to attendance. Klaus and staff said there are existing rules about unexcused absences and that removal can be entertained by the governing body under state law; no change to attendance rules was enacted as part of the pay decision.

What the council decided (administrative details): The motion approved an annual stipend structure—no change to meeting-by-meeting compensation was specified—and staff will administer the new amounts to coincide with payroll as directed. The council later voted to set the effective date to Jan. 1, 2026.

Council members emphasized the decision was made after discussion and asked staff to administer the increase in a way that is administratively efficient (for example, through payroll). The council did not adopt additional eligibility or forfeiture language tying payment to meeting attendance as part of the approved motions.

Ending: The council left the item for administrative implementation with direction to staff on payroll mechanics and an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Several council members urged continued public engagement and transparency as the change is implemented.