Wellington council approves pay increase for members after public pushback

The Village of Wellington council voted unanimously on March 24 to approve a second‑reading ordinance to raise council compensation, ending more than 20 years without an adjustment.

Supporters said the pay change acknowledges the time and expenses required of elected officials. Council members noted the increase would not take effect until newly elected members take office, which they said avoids an immediate personal benefit to current members. Jim Barnes, the village manager, had recommended the item be added to the agenda with amendments to the consent calendar.

During the required public hearing, resident Bruce Toomin objected to the timing and size of the raise, asking, “Isn't voting on your raise a conflict of interest? Shouldn't this be affected after your term limit is over next month?” He also criticized the scale of the increase and urged officials to consider donating any increase to charity.

Council members defended bringing the item forward. One council member said the village’s pay had fallen “far below any other municipality in Palm Beach County” and that the change would still leave Wellington near the bottom of the county range. The council described the change as a modest budgetary item relative to the village’s operating funds and said it is intended to offset out‑of‑pocket expenses such as event attendance.

The motion to approve the ordinance passed 5‑0. The ordinance was described during the meeting as a second reading to increase compensation; the ordinance number in the transcript was inconsistent, so the official ordinance reference is not specified in the record provided.

The council recorded no amendments to the vote, and staff reiterated the effective date means the increase will begin only after new members assume their seats, not immediately.