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Home My WebLink About9D - Council Salary Ordinance MEETING DATE: AGENDA#: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: ISSUES: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT January 8, 2001 ~ :~nk Boyles, City Mana~~ CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 105.300 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE RELATING TO THE SALARY OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2002. Historv: Since 1996, the salary of the Mayor has been $350 per month ($4200 per year) and for Councilmembers $250 per month ($3000 per year). On January 18, 2000, I recommended and the Council approved an increase in salaries to $475 per month ($5700 per year) for the Mayor and $375 per month ($4500 per year) for Councilmembers. At that time, I advised the Council that I would monitor salary rates in an effort to reduce the likelihood that these new salaries would be low once they become effective on January 1, 2002. You will recall that these salaries included a 3% adjustment for each of the years 2001 and 2002.. Current Circumstances: Since the Council's January 18, 2000 action, we have completed negotiations with our bargaining units. In all cases, we were successful in negotiating three-year agreements. The average yearly increase for most bargaining unit employees for 2000 and 2001 is 5%-7% per annum depending upon their step, longevity and educational status. Over two years bargaining unit employees may receive 10%-14% increases, while Council increases for the same period as I calculated them on January 18th would be only 6%. Conclusion: I therefore, propose that the City Council amend the Mayor and Council salaries by 10% so that when they become effective on January 1, 2002, they will not lag behind as they have in the past. This action will accurately reflect the increases other City employees are receiving. Such action would result in a mayoral salary of $525 per month ($6300 per year) and City Council member salaries of $415 per month ($4980 per year) effective January 1, 2002. I am concerned that our Mayor and Council salaries serve their intended purpose. The purpose of the salary is to defray expenses incurred by the Mayor and Council members in their day-to-day City work activities. I am aware that the present salaries do not accomplish that objective. Citizens should not be financially punished for exercIsing their CIVIC responsibilities as elected officials. To do so could have the unfortunate impact of reducing the activity level of incumbents, or the quantity and quality of future candidates for City Council. 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 1- T 1 . T' ilT City Council Agenda Report Item 9D January 8, 2001 FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed salary increase cannot be effective until after the next regular City election and therefore any increase would be effective in 2002. ALTERNATIVES: (1) Adopt an Ordinance amending Section 105.300 of the Prior Lake City Code Relating to the Salary of the Mayor and Councilmembers effective January 1, 2002. (2) Take no action. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative (1). 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2001 \SALARIES.DOC ORDINANCE 01-XX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 105.300 OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE RELATING TO THE SALARY OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS. The Prior Lake City Council hereby ordains as follows: 1. Subsection 105.300 is hereby amended to read as follows: Salaries: The Mayor's salary is hereby established at ,",'~',' , , ' ,"< J,""'/..I,.<....../'.1 , ,- '. ,~, ''','(; ,'/<~ ;','-':~ (5;~;:;:: 5. (;{)) per month. The salary of each City Councilmember is hereby established at ,r:: iF ',iieire:.; urE/en ,/;/,,{:, ',..' per month. The Mayor's and Councilmembers' salaries shall be reviewed by the City Council every two (2) years on even years at the time the City budget is considered by the Council. This subsection shall take effect on January 1st of the year next succeeding the City-wide election. 2. This ordinance shall be effective following passage and publication on January 1, 2002. Mayor ATTEST: City Manager 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER E T i' II,.