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Council introduces ordinance to raise member pay to $950 a month; first required public meeting held
Summary
After staff review, the council held the first public meeting required under SB 329 and voted 4–1 to introduce an ordinance raising monthly council stipends from $300 to $950, effective Jan. 1, 2027; staff said the change would add about $39,000 to the general fund annually.
At the meeting Aug. 5 the council held the first of two public meetings required under SB 329 and voted 4–1 to introduce an ordinance to increase monthly council pay from $300 to $950, effective Jan. 1, 2027. The clerk summarized the staff analysis, noting the additional annual general‑fund cost would be about $39,000 and that statewide data on the law’s effects are not yet available.
The clerk explained staff contacted peer cities and reviewed the bill’s legislative analysis but found no statewide data demonstrating that pay changes affect candidate diversity; staff said the $700 per-month increase (to $950) would raise total council compensation to $57,000 annually for the five‑member body. One councilmember said increasing pay is intended to lower barriers to service for people with financial constraints; the mayor voted no and registered a dissent. The ordinance was introduced by motion and will return for a second public meeting as required.
