Subject:
Title
Proposal to Increase Mayor and Council Salaries Effective Jan. 1, 2024
Body
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE: March 2022 during budget conference work session.
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
The Mayor’s annual salary increased from $6,000 to $7,500 in 2014. The annual salary for each Town Councilmember has been $5,000 for much longer. A chart of other local, comparable jurisdictions is attached. Most have increased their salaries in the past several years, and Vienna is now the lowest.
Various salary increases have been discussed in past budget discussions, based on the current compensation for elected leaders in surrounding localities. Staff recommends the current Town Council suggest a salary figure to be included in the general fund budget. Any increase would become effective Jan. 1, 2024 for the Mayor and Council elected in Nov. 2023.
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend increasing salaries for the Mayor and Council
Finance Recommendation: Recommend increasing salaries for the Mayor and Council.
Purchasing Recommendation: N/A
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to the Town Charter and the Virginia State Code, the Town Council may set its compensation to become effective after the next election term. While there are no limits on salaries for Town mayors and councilmembers in Virginia, there are limits based on populations for cities. The Town Attorney has provided that information for informational and discussion purposes. The Town Attorney has also drafted a proposed Resolution if the Town Council wishes to approve new Mayor and Town Council salaries to become effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council determine the Mayor and Council salaries for the Mayor and Town Council term beginning in January 2024, at its discretion, in accordance with all State and Town Codes.
Cost and Financing: TBD
Account Number: 100-101-1011-11110-41009
Prior Funding Approval: Annual General Budget (Year), Amendments, CIP Budget (Year), or ARPA. Increase to GF budget in FY 2023-24
Decision Needed by This date: Jan. 9, 2023
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to increase the Mayor’s and Councils’ annual salaries to $______ for the Mayor and $______ for Council, to be effective January 1, 2024."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.