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Council scraps proposed raises for mayor and council, approves staff COLA
Summary
Following public comment, Richmond voted to remove a proposed 3.5% increase for the mayor and council while leaving a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment for several appointed and staff positions; the council approved the amended ordinance 3-1.
The Richmond City Council on June 16 amended and adopted Ordinance 2026-05, changing proposed compensation increases for elected officials and appointed positions after a public hearing required by Utah Senate Bill 91.
Staff presented a proposed 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment for several positions, including the mayor and council. During the public hearing, residents questioned the appropriateness of raises for elected officials while many residents face financial strain. Councilmembers expressed mixed views: several said they would forgo raises for the council, while supporting employee increases.
Councilmember Daryl Black moved to adopt the ordinance with the increase for the city council and mayor changed from 3.5% to 0.0%; the motion passed 3-1 (Joel Draxler opposed). The ordinance as amended adopts employee COLA increases where recommended while leaving mayoral and council pay unchanged for FY2027.
Council discussion noted statutory hearing requirements and highlighted staff and department-head increases while allowing the mayor and council to decline raises.
