Pay raises have been proposed for Washington's elected officials. The increases would go into effect in 2029 because of the city's election cycle.
New terms for the mayor, four of the eight council members, the city clerk and city treasurer will begin in 2029.
City Administrator Jeff Fiegenschuh made the salary increase recommendations.
Many of the salaries would rise annually after 2029 based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
While there were no comments about Fiegenschuh's pay proposals at this week's city council meeting, there was a more than 15-minute discussion at the Oct. 12 committee of the whole meeting.
"I know [raises for the mayor and alderpersons] can be politically touchy with people, and I know people don't get into public service for the pay," Fiegenschuh said at that meeting.
"But they do deserve pay because they put a lot of work in and it's sometimes a thankless job. All these raises would not have a significant impact on the city's budget."
Alderpersons John Blundy and Mike McIntyre each said he didn't know there was compensation for an alderperson when he first ran for election.
"Pay is not the reason anyone up here does this," Blundy said.
Alderperson Bobby Martin III said he's not in favor of the increases for the mayor and council members, but he does support the raises for the clerk and treasurer.
The mayor's current annual compensation is nearly $14,500. That would rise to $16,000 as of May 1, 2029 with CPI-W raises on May 1, 2030, 2031 and 2032.
May 1 is the start of the city's fiscal year.
Alderpersons are currently compensated about $3,300 annually. Assuming a 3.5% CPI-W increase on May 1, 2029, the alderperson compensation for the 2029-30 fiscal year would be about $3,400. Alderperson raises on May 1, 2030, 2031 and 2032 would be determined by the CPI-W.
The city clerk is Washington's only full-time elected official and is required to maintain regular office hours. The clerk's current annual salary is about $67,400, not including $850 annually for collector duties (documenting financial transactions) and compensation for professional certifications.
A salary increase to about $77,400 as of May 1, 2029 is proposed to make up for no raises in the 2025-2029 clerk term.
Cost-of-living increases of 3.5% are recommended for the clerk on May 1, 2030, 2031 and 2032.
The city treasurer's current annual salary is about $13,240. That would increase to $14,000 on May 1, 2029, with annual CPI-W raises on May 1, 2030, 2031 and 2032.
A first reading of the pay ordinances was held at this week's council meeting. Council is expected to vote on them Nov. 2.
Other business
Here are highlights of department heads' reports the council:
- A discussion of how to allocate cannabis tax revenue is planned for next month's committee of the whole meeting. At the moment, property tax reduction and sidewalk improvements are the major recommendations from city staff. Key Cannabis, the city's first cannabis dispensary, is under construction at 2691 Centennial Drive.
- A police squad car that has replaced the patrol vehicle damaged in the explosion and fire earlier this year on Mallard Way is in service for the Washington Police Department as an unmarked unit. The vehicle will be used mainly to address speeding and other unsafe driving behaviors, especially on residential streets, according to Police Chief Jeff Stevens.
- Bids are being solicited for farming the "223" property off U.S. Route 24. The current farm lease expires at the end of the year. Bids will be opened by mid-November.
- Work has begun on the Dame Fine Coffee shop at Washington Plaza. The business is tentatively scheduled to open this spring.
Also this week, council approved:
- A final plat for Mallard Crossing Section Five. Thirty single-family residential lots of about 1,800 square feet apiece will be created on approximately nine acres east of Labrador Way and north of Retriever Lane. The land currently has an equalized assessed value of nearly $6,000. After buildout, the property tax generation is estimated to climb to about $260,000. About 90 new residents are expected to live there.
- The appointment of Nicole Wheeler to the Planning & Zoning Commission. She replaces Matt Collins, who resigned.
- Write-offs totaling more than $4,100 for uncollectible water and sewer accounts. The write-offs represent .06% of water and sewer billings.
