Prince George's County committee reviews elected-official pay history, benefits and CPI-U formula guiding recent raises

The Charter Review and Compensation Committee of Prince George's County met April 16, 2025, to review salary history, benefits and the Compensation Review Commission recommendations that govern pay for the county executive and council members and to schedule follow-up briefings ahead of a December reporting deadline to the County Council.

Committee members were presented a historical salary chart and the mechanics of the current escalation formula, which staff said ties increases in years two through four of the most recent compensation cycle to the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI‑U), capped at 3 percent annually. Deputy Administrator Gresham introduced the item, saying, "we are going to discuss the current compensation and allowances."

Why it matters: the Compensation Review Commission's findings, and any recommendation the committee forwards, feed into a formal report the County Council receives by December. The committee's review will inform whether staff recommend changes to the CPI‑U linkage, the comparator set of jurisdictions, or other adjustments to council and executive pay.

Inez Claggett, director of the Office of Finance for the legislative branch, presented a multi‑decade salary history for council members and explained how recent increases were calculated. "You will see the Prince George's County Council member salary history chart," Claggett said. She said CB 08‑2022 froze salaries in the first year of the current cycle (2022) at $133,805 and then specified CPI‑U‑based adjustments for years two through four, with a 3 percent maximum in any year. Using September‑to‑September CPI‑U data, Claggett said the 2023 increase applied at the 3 percent cap, taking council salaries to $137,832; the most recent adjustment she reported — a 2.4 percent September‑to‑September change — brought council members to $141,196.

Valerie Farrar, acting director of the Office of Human Resources Management, presented a parallel history and an overview of benefits for the county executive and elected officials. Farrar said the presentation listed the county executive salary at about $234,237 (as shown in the materials distributed to the committee) and noted prior fiscal‑year amounts, including $228,658 for the July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024 fiscal year. Farrar also provided chair and vice‑chair figures reported in the presentation (chair reported at $148,255), and she compared Prince George's pay to neighboring jurisdictions, noting Montgomery County and Baltimore County as frequently used comparators and that Baltimore County council positions are part‑time.

Farrar summarized executive benefits and retirement options available to elected officials: executive life insurance (presentation listed a maximum executive life benefit of $225,000, which the county continues to cover while the position is held and that begins to reduce once the position is vacated and the retiree reaches age 60); an executive long‑term disability program with a typical monthly benefit of 60 percent of earnings and a presentation maximum of $7,500 per month; basic life and accidental death and dismemberment coverage; participation options in the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and in defined‑contribution plans administered through Empower; and 457 deferred compensation options (Farrar noted Roth 457 deferral is now available). She said some benefits are paid fully by the county and that some voluntary supplemental products are employee‑paid.

Committee members asked for additional comparators and for staff to ensure ‘‘apples‑to‑apples’’ comparisons with other jurisdictions. Steve Taylor, a committee member, asked, "I'm wondering if the additional information is forthcoming in regards to other surrounding counties such as Anne Arundel and Charles in regards to the comparison comparative information on salaries." Deputy Administrator Gresham and staff said they would expand the comparator set to include Montgomery County, Washington, D.C., Baltimore County, and other relevant entities, and will present a fuller comparison in a future meeting. Member Hall asked whether the committee had compared elected‑official pay to senior county employees, noting she was aware of some county employees who earn more than council members; staff responded that employee compensation and recent COLAs are considered as part of broader context and that they would include relevant comparisons in follow‑up materials.

Next steps and scheduling: staff confirmed a follow‑up, in‑person meeting for May 7 at 4 p.m. in Room 2027 of the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building. Stanley Early, director of the Office of Management and Budget, is scheduled to present a fiscal outlook; staff also scheduled a briefing on the vehicle‑use (taxable auto) program with Steve McGibbon, director of the county Office of Finance, and Lydia Pearl, deputy fleet manager. Staff told the committee there is time in the calendar for additional meetings through July if the committee needs more sessions before a final recommendation is prepared for the December report. Committee staff also noted that Jacqueline Woody informed the committee she is unable to continue serving on the commission and will be replaced through the appropriate appointment process.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved the minutes of its previous meeting by voice vote after a motion and a second; the clerk confirmed a voice vote was appropriate and no abstentions were recorded.

The committee adjourned after scheduling the May 7 session and confirming next presenters and materials to be provided well in advance of meetings.