Council approves several salary ordinances; removes two executive-level titles from 2026 pay plan
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Summary
The council passed multiple salary measures covering city court, executive and elected-official pay. An amendment removed two titles (chief infrastructure officer and economic development director) from the 2026 ordinance; the council also approved targeted corrections for eight employees retroactive to July 1.
The Common Council acted on a package of salary ordinances and related personnel items during the Oct. 20 meeting, approving the court salary schedule, a corrected 2025 salary ordinance for eight positions and the citywide 2026 salary ordinance with amendments.
Judge Poindexter presented the Carmel City Court salary ordinance (D27 88-25), noting long-serving staff members and that proposed increases reflect the councils budget guidance. The council approved the ordinance as presented.
On executive-branch pay (D27 90-25), staff and HR described title cleanups and two proposed reorganizations in street and utilities departments. During debate, councilors moved to remove two executive-level titleschief infrastructure officer and director of economic developmentfrom the 2026 salary ordinance; that amendment passed 7-2. Councilors said the mayor remains the primary economic-development official and the city does not have appropriation to fill those roles this year.
Councilors also approved an amended 2025 salary ordinance that corrects pay for eight employees identified by HR; the changes were to be retroactive to July 1. Separately, the council addressed the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for elected officials: after discussion a motion amended the elected-officials salary ordinance so the mayor, judge and clerk maximum biweekly salaries reflect the same 3% COLA the rest of the city employees receive; that amendment passed 8-1.
The meeting included extended discussion about the inclusion of an urban-forester title in the pay ordinance. Staff said the title appears in the A-version of the salary ordinance (line 208) and that one urban-forester position will remain in the streets department for 2026; consulting funds for plan review remain under DOCS.
Ending: The series of salary ordinances passed with amendments. Councilors said they would continue to monitor salary-study findings and departmental needs in future budget cycles.
