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Council adopts ordinance raising mayor and council pay; mayor pledges not to sign
Summary
Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 11-39 amending mayor and council compensation effective Jan. 1, 2026, after debate. Several council members opposed the increase; Mayor Suresh said he would not sign the ordinance and, under Iowa law, it will take effect 14 days after passage.
The Johnston City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 11-39 on third reading, increasing mayor and council compensation effective Jan. 1, 2026, after extended debate.
Opponents on the council framed service as a civic duty and said higher pay would not address broader recruitment or representation concerns. One council member said, "I will give away the salary that I'm going to receive to the food bank starting next month," and reiterated a long-standing personal opposition to compensation increases.
Mayor Suresh said he opposed the ordinance and would not sign it if it passed. "If it passes, and I expect it will, I will not be signing it, which means per Iowa law, it will go into effect 14 days later," the mayor said during the debate.
Supporters said the increase, and the alternatives considered earlier in the process (including an automatic escalator), were discussed extensively in work sessions and budget meetings as an effort to modernize compensation and attract candidates. The council voted by roll call; the motion passed and the ordinance will be published and take legal effect according to state requirements.
Next steps: the city clerk will publish the ordinance per usual procedures and staff will implement the change effective Jan. 1, 2026, in accordance with state statute timing.
