7.6. Handout 08-16-2004
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Item #7.6
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Joan Schmidt, City Clerk
DATE: August 16, 2004
SUBJECT: Mayor and Council Wages
Councilmember Dietz asked for more information in regards to the Mayor and Council
wages.
The last raise that the City Council received was effective January 1995. I have illustrated
below that raise and the previous salaries.
Council Actin" Mavor Mayor
1978 $1,200 $1,200 $1,600
1980 $1,800 $1,800 $3,000
1985 $2,000 $2,000 $3,200
1987 $2,200 $2,200 $3,400
1989 $3,600 $3,600 $4,800
1991 $4,800 $5,400 $6,000
1995 $5,700 $6,300 $6,900
In October of 1998, Councilmember Farber had brought up the matter of increasing the
council's salary by 3 percent. However, at that time the ordinance had not been prepared
and the general election was to be held on November 3.
The foliowing is from the Elk River Star News:
In May of 2000, discussion was held in regards to an increase in salary. Councilmember
Dietz had advised against the increase and had noted that the council had gone from having
four regularly scheduled meetings a month to three. Councilmember Thompson said that he
would like to take some time to think about the matter before a decision is made.
This item was discussed again in September of 2000. Mayor Klinzing and Councilmembers
Dietz and Thomspon said based on salary comparisons with other councils, salary increases
were not warranted at this time. Councilmember Faber felt an increase would be justified
because it had been a while since wages were adjusted. One suggestion talked about was to
have wages adjusted at the same time city staff's wages are adjusted. Councilmember Motin
said he was willing to look at the salary issue, but said he didn't know if raises were necessary
at this time. He stated its an awlrnrard system and wonders if there's a better way to address
council salaries. When it was clear the majority opposed looking into salary increases, the
issue was dropped without a vote.