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Council codifies notice procedures for elected‑official pay; adopts option mirroring state process
Summary
After debate, the council adopted an ordinance (option 2) standardizing notice and hearing steps for elected‑official compensation to match processes used for executive officers; the measure passed 3–2 without optional mailer or social media requirements.
On July 7 the Highland City Council adopted an ordinance to codify procedures for changes to elected‑official compensation. The ordinance (Option 2) restates state notice requirements in local code, clarifies what counts as compensation, and requires a public hearing and specified notice language before a compensation change is finalized.
Council member Courtney (speaker 1) explained the goal was standardization and transparency: the proposed language mirrors the state process for executive‑officer compensation and adds clearer local text on what counts as compensation, including benefits and stipends. The council debated optional additions to the ordinance — specifically, an extra citywide mailer and a social‑media notice — and whether such additional notices should be required.
After a motion to reject failed, the council voted to adopt Option 2 (the code restatement) by a roll call that resulted in a 3–2 outcome. Council members in favor said the change increases transparency and aligns expectations for elected‑official salary changes with existing practice for staff officers; members opposed argued the change was unnecessary given state law and that additional notice requirements would be costly or set a precedent for special rules on particular issues.
What happens next: staff will implement the code language and follow the prescribed notice and hearing steps for any future compensation adjustments for the mayor or council.
Vote: council adopted the ordinance (Option 2) by a 3–2 vote.
