Erlanger residents and council spar over proposed mayoral pay increase; formal change pushed to caucus

Mayor Jessica Fetti opened the June 2 Erlanger City Council meeting and members of the public used the public‑comment period to press the council on a proposed ordinance to increase the mayor’s salary.

Corinne Pitts told the council the proposal that would double the mayor’s pay is excessive for a city of Erlanger’s size and staff structure and argued a part‑time mayor should remain. Pitts said the ordinance’s language suggesting the mayor position ‘‘will likely require a full time mayor in the future’’ is particularly concerning and urged council to remove the item from consideration rather than proceed with first and second readings.

A council member said the item can be discussed even if it is struck from tonight’s agenda, and another council member told the meeting they intend to amend the ordinance to make any pay change effective in 2031, a step intended to avoid the appearance of making changes in an election year. Council member Rutgers asked that the salary‑comparison survey distributed to council be circulated to all members to inform discussion.

No final ordinance vote occurred at the meeting. Council voted to set the matter for further review at a caucus meeting, with requests from members to include council compensation in the same conversation. The discussion concluded with no immediate change to the ordinance on the floor.

Why this matters: The proposed pay change would alter the compensation and potentially the duties and expectations of the mayoral office. Council members said they want more data — including the salary survey — and more time for discussion before taking action.