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Council adopts $1,000 monthly mayoral stipend after heated debate
Summary
After debate and a failed initial motion at $700, the Mabton City Council approved an ordinance setting the mayoral stipend at $1,000 per month, effective Jan. 1.
The Mabton City Council voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a $1,000-per-month stipend for the mayor, effective Jan. 1. The council debated the size of the stipend before approving the measure by voice vote.
Council members first faced a motion to set the monthly stipend at $700. That motion failed after members argued the mayor’s duties—overseeing personnel and city finances and representing the city—warranted a larger stipend. One council member said the mayor was “ready to take the bull by the horns” and urged a $1,000 amount as a reasonable middle ground. The city attorney advised that the pending $700 motion would have to be resolved or withdrawn before a new motion could be made. After the $700 motion failed, a substitute motion to set the stipend at $1,000 was made, seconded and passed.
The ordinance language adopted by the council sets the stipend amount and an effective date; council members framed the change as a modest compensation measure tied to mayoral responsibilities. No changes to the city’s budgetary funding sources for the stipend were detailed during the discussion. The council did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript of the vote; action was approved by voice vote.
Council members said the stipend can be revisited later if circumstances change. The ordinance brings formal compensation for the mayor into the city code and takes effect on the date stated in the ordinance.
