These changes will not take effect for any sitting elected official; instead, they will be implemented after the next election for that position.
The cost
This resolution will double the pay of the mayor and City Council, increasing the mayor's salary from $200 to $400 each month, and City Council's pay from $150 to $300 each month.
Since 1925, the compensation scale for elected officials has changed numerous times, including the following notable changes:
- 1925: $25 per month set by ordinance
- 1977: compensation abolished
- 1980: council “fees” set per meeting
- 2008: mayor's stipend set to $200 per month, council stipend set to $150 per month
The first pay change will take effect after the May 2026 election, which will include races for City Council Districts 1 and 3.
Mayor Frank Ritchie said the increase would help compensate elected officials for travel and the cost of a cup of coffee when hosting meetings outside of City Council meetings.
“I recognize the amount of hours council members put in with their constituents, the amount of time they put in with city staff, and the amount of time they put in on a daily and weekly basis,” Ritchie said. “It is much appreciated by me, but I think it would be appreciated by the community, and I think it is well worth the increase.”
