Quincy committee and council adopt process tying future mayor and council pay to CPI, with delayed start dates

Quincy’s ordinance committee on April 7 approved, and the City Council later issued a positive recommendation, to amend Chapter 72 of the municipal code to create a procedural framework governing future salary adjustments for the mayor and city councilors.

The revised ordinance sets annual adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index for the Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH area. Under the ordinance as amended, the mayor’s annual CPI adjustment will begin on Jan. 1, 2033; the city councilors’ annual CPI adjustment will begin on Jan. 1, 2031. Councilors voted in committee and in the full council by roll call with nine members recorded in favor in each recorded vote.

Why it matters: supporters said the change was intended to separate the political question of setting pay levels from the process by which future changes occur. Opponents and several members urged caution about reintroducing a body to review or approve compensation, and several proposed delaying any automatic adjustments to avoid appearing to act immediately after a pay increase.

What the ordinance does and how it…