City Council proposes mayor's salary increase to $1500 monthly amid inflation concerns

The Bountiful City Council held its regular meeting on May 13, 2025, focusing on budget adjustments and salary considerations for city officials. The meeting began with a detailed presentation on the city’s financial structure, including the general fund, debt service fund, and various enterprise funds. These funds support essential services such as police, streets, and utilities, with some being tax-supported and others funded by fees.

City officials discussed necessary adjustments to the tentative budget, which will be finalized in June. These adjustments stemmed from discussions held in council committees, reflecting the city's ongoing efforts to align its financial resources with operational needs.

A significant topic of discussion was the mayor's salary. City Manager Gary highlighted that state law mandates a minimum salary for the mayor, who is classified under the Utah Retirement Systems as a Tier 1 employee due to prior employment history. The proposed salary increase for the mayor to $1,500 per month was justified by the fact that the compensation for elected officials had not changed in over a decade, despite inflation rates rising by approximately 25 to 30% during that time. The council aims to set the salary at a level that avoids frequent adjustments in the coming years.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to finalize the budget and salary adjustments in the upcoming month, ensuring that the city remains financially sound while adequately compensating its elected officials.