City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 4, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER/s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Passage on First Reading. Consideration of an Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 2-1-4 (Compensation of Members) of Article A (General Provisions) of Chapter 1 (The City Council) of Title 2 (General Government) of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia 1981 as amended, to increase the compensation for the Mayor and City Council Members effective January 2025.
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ISSUE: What compensation levels should be set for the Mayor and Members of City Council for the next term of Council?
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council:
1) Introduce and pass on first reading an Ordinance (Attachment 2) establishing for the next term of City Council the annual compensation for the Mayor at a minimum of $60,000, and the compensation for the other members of City Council at $55,000 minimum.
2) Set the ordinance for second reading, public hearing, and final passage on June 15, 2024.
BACKGROUND: At its December 12, 2023, Legislative Meeting, the Council discussed whether to increase its annual salaries for the upcoming term of Council. Council salaries were last increased to $41,500 for the Mayor, and $37,500 for Council members effective with the Council term beginning January 1, 2019. Since 2019, there have been no adjustments to City Council salaries, despite an increased cost of living. During this six-year period, the responsibilities of the City Council as well as the time commitment required of the City Council have increased substantially.
Even with the proposed compensation increase, City Council salaries are still below those of Prince William County, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, and Arlington County. In addition, there is justification for the Council to increa...
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