PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — The Prince George's County Compensation Review and Charter Review Commission on Oct. 29 voted unanimously to recommend that compensation for the County Council and the County Executive be held steady in the first year of a term and thereafter adjusted by changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with annual increases capped at 3% in years two through four.

The commission’s action, approved by roll call vote 6-0, moves the commission's recommendation toward the County Council and the County Executive for consideration. Chair Exum opened the discussion by asking staff and the commission to deliberate on previously distributed illustrative options and to prepare final recommendations for the council by Dec. 15, a deadline noted by staff during the meeting.

Commissioner Mister Horn said the county’s fiscal situation requires caution, and he expressed support for retaining current salary levels while adopting a CPI-based adjustment rather than a flat-dollar approach. “I definitely think… the CPI adjustments up to 2,500 seems to be the fairest way of doing it,” Horn said, adding later that a percentage cap could be more appropriate.

Staff presenter Mister Hamlin described both illustrative approaches handed to commissioners: a flat-dollar cap (referenced in the materials as $2,500) and a percentage cap. Hamlin noted the historical CPI figures the commission had before it — 8.2% (2022), 3.7% (2023), 2.4% (2024) and 5.4% (2021) — and said a 3% cap would protect against larger spikes while remaining conservative.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the option described as “Option C” was moved and seconded and amended on the floor to replace the flat-dollar cap with a 3% annual cap on CPI-based adjustments. The clerk then called the roll for the motion; Chair Exum, Miss Hall, Mister Horn, Miss Lawler, Mister Simpson and Mister Taylor all voted “Aye,” and the motion carried 6-0.

The commission made clear the recommendation’s structure: compensation would remain unchanged in the first year of the council and executive terms; adjustments in the second, third and fourth years would track CPI but be capped at 3% in any single year. The commission did not set an effective date beyond transmitting the recommendation to the County Council and County Executive for their consideration.

The commission chair and staff reminded members that the commission’s final recommendations are expected to go to the council by Dec. 15. No additional amendments or conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Votes at a glance

Motion: Adopt compensation adjustment mechanism that freezes pay the first year and ties years two–four to CPI increases capped at 3% per year for both County Council and County Executive.
Outcome: Approved
Vote tally: Yes — Chair Exum; Miss Hall; Mister Horn; Miss Lawler; Mister Simpson; Mister Taylor. No — none. Abstain/Recused — none.