City Council discussed increasing the stipend Sept. 23, but did not decide on any change. City Manager Ben Thatcher said the agenda item will be brought back for action during an October meeting.
Breaking it down
The stipend for mayor and city council was introduced in 1925, offering a $25 monthly incentive for elected officials. Since 1925, the stipend has been revisited, resulting in compensation changes.
In 2024, the current stipend package was adopted, increasing the salary for the mayor to $200 each month and for City Council members to $150 each month.
Mayor Frank Ritchie suggested increasing the stipend to give elected officials compensation for the time they dedicate to the community.
“I want to make sure that we are fair to the people sitting at the dais,” Ritchie said. “That they are being compensated for their time and efforts throughout their years of service.”
Council member Joe Bateman highlighted that the annual cost for the entire City Council is less than 50 cents per resident, and an increase would not lead to changes in economic position.
Council member Joseph Macaluso said the elected officials currently cost the taxpayers around $11,000 annually.
“I don’t think anybody that decides to do this is doing it for the money,” Macaluso said.
If City Council does increase the stipend, the new compensation will not be implemented retroactively, and instead will go into effect during the next election cycle for a given seat, Bateman said. A final decision on any stipend change will be made during a future meeting.
