Charter panel leans toward removing elected‑official benefits; keeps CPI‑linked pay increases

The charter committee revisited council compensation and benefits after members and public commenters criticized recent large pay increases and benefit additions.

Members agreed to retain an automatic annual adjustment tied to the consumer price index (CPI) but recommended that any increase beyond CPI be subject to voter approval by referendum. The committee also discussed expense reimbursements and proposed that reimbursements exceeding 2% of a member’s salary require council approval in a public meeting.

On benefits, the committee leaned toward removing employee‑style benefits — including city‑paid health insurance and retirement accruals — from the charter. Proponents said benefits create inequities and provide an incentive that has not measurably broadened the candidate pool since the 2022 changes. Opponents urged offering single‑payer health coverage for self‑employed candidates who might need it to serve; a few members suggested limiting any benefit to single‑person coverage only. The city attorney clarified that council members are treated as independent contractors for certain purposes and that the charter can specify compensation and benefits but cannot override state law.

Committee members asked staff to prepare charter language that preserves CPI adjustments, requires referendum for larger raises, sets clear caps on reimbursable expenses, and removes benefit entitlements from the charter while identifying options (ordinance or policy) the council could adopt separately if it wants to offer targeted support.

The committee will include this package of compensation recommendations in its final report to the city council.