Compensation panel hears briefings on council duties, calendar and peer pay

Prince George's County’s Compensation Review Commission on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, heard three briefings intended to inform its review of elected-official pay: an overview of the at-large County Council member role from Council member Calvin Hawkins; a summary of the county executive’s duties from Jatanna Stewart Ponder, acting director of the Office of Human Resources Management; and an explanation of the council’s long-range calendar from Donna Brown, Clerk of the Council. The commission approved its May minutes by roll call vote and asked staff for additional workload and fiscal scenarios to guide compensation deliberations.

The panel’s work matters because the commission sets compensation changes that, under the Constitution of Maryland, cannot be applied to an incumbent during a term. Commissioners said they want concrete data — including comparative workload and multi-year budget scenarios — before recommending any adjustments to salaries or office budgets.

Council member Calvin Hawkins described the responsibilities of an at-large member as broader than those of single-member districts. “We have responsibility for all 499 square miles” of the county, Hawkins said, and noted the at-large role requires…