Council directs staff to draft ordinance establishing pay for mayor and councilors

Broken Arrow City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance setting compensation for the mayor and councilors after a discussion of changing time and responsibility demands on elected officials.

City Attorney Trevor Dennis summarized legal constraints: an ordinance is required to set compensation, and the Oklahoma Constitution prevents officials from voting themselves an immediate raise that would take effect in the same election cycle. Dennis explained that any compensation change would become effective only after the next intervening election or certification date for each seat, meaning staggered terms produce staggered effective dates.

Councilors discussed the increasing time demands of the job, participation on boards and committees, and travel related to metropolitan and national meetings. Several members said pay could broaden the candidate pool. After discussion, one councilor moved to direct staff to prepare an ordinance setting the mayor's compensation at $12,000 and councilors at $9,000; another councilor seconded, and the council voted to proceed with drafting the ordinance for future consideration.

City staff said the attorney will prepare draft language and return with a proposed ordinance at an upcoming meeting, including the effective-date mechanics tied to election certification consistent with state constitutional rules. No payroll changes will take effect until the ordinance is adopted and any constitutional timing requirements are satisfied.