Council reviews charter amendment options on auditor language, council pay and swearing‑in date

Staff summarized recommendations from the Charter Review Commission and presented three primary amendment areas: revised city auditor language (which staff said had general consensus), a process to set council and mayor stipends by a five‑member compensation commission and timing changes to the start date of terms to the first Tuesday after the scheduled runoff election.

Councilors debated mechanics for compensation changes. The commission proposal would have the mayor appoint a five‑member compensation commission (subject to council approval) that would recommend stipend changes every three years based on CPI and the city budget; any increases would not take effect until the following term so incumbents would not vote themselves immediate raises. Alternatives discussed included automatic CPI adjustments or periodic review by a council‑appointed body, and several members voiced concern about optics of raising elected officials’ pay on the ballot.

Staff noted charter amendments require submission to the state and that approval by the governor can take many months (staff referenced prior charter submissions taking nearly a year), so implementation would be delayed even if voters approve. On the swearing‑in timing question, staff projected the earliest practical effective date would be 2028 in order not to retroactively shorten current terms.

Council gave direction to staff to draft charter amendment language for the next agenda and to circulate materials for council review; members expressed preference to delay controversial stipend language if necessary to avoid overcrowding an April ballot already likely to include multiple questions.