Newport committee hears residents, staff on council pay and benefits; no decision made

Residents and city officials urged the City of Newport committee reviewing council compensation to consider modest stipends, childcare support and nonfinancial benefits as ways to broaden participation in local government, but the group made no formal decision at the meeting.

The discussion drew multiple public commenters who said financial barriers keep many residents — parents, students and those holding multiple jobs — from serving. “Compensating council members can bring people who have diverse backgrounds who might not have the opportunity to serve without financial support,” said Beatrice Portillo Salgado, a Newport resident who spoke during public comment. Several speakers suggested noncash options such as recreation-center passes or education stipends as alternatives to direct pay.

Committee members and staff focused on tradeoffs between recruiting diverse candidates and keeping pay modest. “Even with the $500 a month, it’s looking at $42,000, which, you know, I say is a significant amount of money,” a city finance staff member told the committee while showing a spreadsheet of cost scenarios and potential benefit packages. Staff also reported pay practices from similarly sized Oregon cities: Sweet Home reported $150 per month for councilors; North Bend pays $25 per regular meeting; Baker City reported $10 per meeting with a $150 annual cap; Independence, Cottage Grove, Florence and Eagle Point reported no compensation.

Mayor Jan Kaplan, who attended and spoke to the committee, said the discussion is about recognition as much as money. “What compensation means to me is acknowledgement, is value,” Kaplan said, adding that incentives such as childcare or insurance access could help recruit younger and working candidates. Several committee members raised nonfinancial options — scheduling adjustments, outreach programs, a junior- or student-council position to educate future candidates, reduced application fees and in-kind benefits such as parking or rec-center access.

Committee members expressed differing views on whether to adopt a recurring stipend. Some said a modest monthly token — figures discussed included $125–$500 per month in various scenarios — could help offset costs and encourage competition in races. Others said the city should emphasize outreach and volunteer recruitment and warned that even modest pay could later escalate or attract candidates motivated mainly by compensation.

The committee gave staff directions rather than taking a formal action. Members asked staff to email the spreadsheet and to compile a menu of possible monetary and nonmonetary benefits so the committee can compare options at a future meeting. The group identified a follow-up meeting date; staff noted the committee’s schedule would have to align with the city’s annual budget cycle if the council later chose to authorize pay.

The review included questions about whether any change would require a public vote. A committee member said the city charter could require voter approval for council compensation; the transcript shows members intending to check charter and municipal rules before advancing a recommendation.

No motion or vote on compensation was recorded at the meeting. Committee members agreed to return with a consolidated list of suggested benefits and stipend levels for further discussion at the next scheduled session.

Details from the meeting: finance staff presented cost scenarios and comparisons with peer cities; multiple Newport residents urged compensation to reduce barriers for parents, students and underrepresented groups; Mayor Jan Kaplan and several committee members suggested noncash incentives as part of a package.