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Auburn council asks staff to draft pay-increase resolution for next council
Summary
Councilman Bob Parsons presented a proposal to raise future council compensation to $15,000 annually and raise the mayor pro tem’s pay to $18,000. After discussion, a majority of the council directed staff to place a resolution on a future agenda for the incoming council to consider; two members were recorded as opposed.
Councilman Bob Parsons on Tuesday urged the Auburn City Council to consider increasing the pay for council members, arguing the city’s growth and increased job demands justify higher compensation. Parsons proposed setting council member pay at $15,000 per year and mayor pro tem pay at $18,000 per year; he said the proposal is based on averages drawn from other Alabama “Big 10” cities and inflation adjustments to the council’s current $7,200 salary.
"The last time there has been an adjustment to the city council salary was in 02/2006," Parsons said, citing staff-provided comparisons showing a state "Big 10" city average of about $17,122 for council pay. Parsons said an adjusted-for-inflation figure from 2006 would be roughly $13,000, and that $15,000 is a conservative proposal for Auburn given local growth.
Council members discussed population and service changes since 2006, including growth in residents and student population, expanded infrastructure responsibilities, and increased use of social media and constituent contact. Several members supported moving the item forward so staff could prepare a resolution. Mayor/Presiding officer and staff clarified any increase would not take effect until the council elected in August 2026 is seated in November 2026.
Councilmembers Chief Dawson and Councilman Griswold asked to be recorded as opposed to moving forward. Council staff later stated that, as recorded in the Committee of the Whole, seven members supported asking staff to draft a resolution to appear on a future agenda; two members were opposed.
No final compensation change was adopted at Tuesday’s meeting. Staff said the council can set the item as a resolution for a future meeting and that council members would have the opportunity to amend the resolution when it appears on the agenda.
The council’s direction to staff was procedural only; any formal change would require action at a later public meeting and would state an effective date.
