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Green Bay council approves mayoral pay increase to $140,000 after extended debate
Summary
The Green Bay Common Council voted 9-3 on Oct. 7 to raise the mayor's base salary to $140,000, advancing the ordinance to a second and final reading after hearings and an unsuccessful amendment to lower the figure.
The Green Bay Common Council voted 9-3 on Oct. 7 to advance an ordinance setting the mayor's base salary at $140,000, a figure that drew sustained discussion during the personnel report.
Council members debated a staff-commission recommendation and consultant analysis before reaching the 9-3 vote. Alder Grant proposed an amendment to revert the dollar amount to $128,000; that amendment failed 3-9. After further comment and a motion to approve the higher salary, the council recorded a 9-3 vote in favor. The motion was advanced to a second and final reading.
The debate focused on the consultant's comparables, local income levels and broader expectations of the mayoral role. Alder Grant said staff's recommendation and consultant results did not justify the highest proposed pay: “I just did some research on this since our last meeting ... I was actually shocked to find out that an individual's median income is about 56,000 for males, 47,000 for females,” Grant said while arguing for a lower number. Grant also cited the consultant's reported recommended midpoint and staff recommendation.
Alder Prophet and others argued that the responsibilities of the mayor ' including contract authority and economic development engagement ' justify a higher salary to attract more candidates and reflect the expected workload. Alder Prophet noted the consultant's percentile breakdown and said a higher salary would broaden the candidate pool.
Alder Eck and other members voiced taxpayer concerns and urged deference to the consultant's recommendation, noting the consultant's lower suggested figure. Alder Hinkfuss and Alder Johnson argued the city remains below market for mayoral pay and supported the committee's recommended increase to $140,000.
Doctor Olson (staff) responded to a question about consulting costs by saying staff would follow up with specific figures; Olson said they did not have that number on hand at the meeting. The council took a recorded board vote; Alder Hutchison (attending via Zoom) was recorded voting aye during the proceedings.
The ordinance was advanced for a final reading; additional procedural steps remain before the salary becomes effective.
The action concluded a lengthy personnel discussion that included comparisons with other municipalities and with local income statistics. Council members emphasized they were setting a compensation level intended to reflect the scope and time demands of the mayor's office.
