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Council opens review of elected‑official pay, asks staff to update comparative study
Summary
Councilors discussed whether to move from per‑meeting compensation to a monthly salary and asked staff to update a MAG/LAA comparative study; no pay changes were adopted tonight, but staff were directed to seek updated data and return with options and a public‑hearing plan tied to the budget cycle.
Consultant comments and attorney anecdotes framed a broad council discussion about elected‑official compensation, candidate recruitment and transparency.
Brad Kristofferson told the council about other municipalities where very low per‑meeting pay discouraged candidates and produced turnover; he said a comparative study often shows options and that an updated MAG/LAA survey could provide recent benchmarks. "Some of the municipalities performed a survey... they came up with some recommendations," he said, urging the council to consider whether monthly stipends would reduce barriers to service.
Councilors asked whether any change would need to align with the budget process and the council agreed that public hearings are required before adoption. Members suggested timing any change to coordinate with the budget cycle so impacts can be considered in appropriations. Several councilors also emphasized transparency in reporting mayoral activity if compensation is adjusted.
Action: staff agreed to ask Spencer (MAG contact) to update the prior study and circulate the results. The council requested options comparing per‑meeting pay, monthly salaries and other models; no motion to change pay was made tonight.
