In a recent city council meeting, discussions surrounding council compensation took center stage, marking the fourth time the topic has been addressed. The council is considering a proposal to adjust compensation for elected officials, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. The last pay increase occurred in fiscal year 2015, and since then, inflation has averaged approximately 3% annually.

The proposed changes include setting council pay at 20% of the mayor's salary, implementing an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) based on city employee increases, and establishing an effective date of July 1, 2025, aligning with the fiscal year 2026 budget. Council members expressed a desire to avoid politicizing the issue by establishing a consistent framework for future discussions on compensation.

Public feedback was mixed, with several residents voicing concerns about potential conflicts of interest in tying council pay to the mayor's salary. Critics argued that such a system could undermine accountability and transparency, suggesting that any pay increases should be determined independently and possibly tied to performance metrics or community input.

Council members engaged in a robust debate, with some advocating for a more incremental approach to compensation adjustments, while others emphasized the need for a thorough review of benefits alongside any pay increase. Ultimately, the council voted to table the proposal for further discussion, aiming to revisit the issue within the next 60 to 90 days. This decision reflects a commitment to transparency and community engagement in determining fair compensation for elected officials.