City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 6, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Consideration of Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to Increase Mayor and Members of City Council Compensation for the Next Term of Office.
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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 City Council:
1. Pass the ordinance on first reading establishing for the next term of Council the annual compensation for the Mayor at $41,600 and the compensation for the other members of City Council at $37,500; and
2. Schedule this ordinance for second reading, public hearing and final passage on
Saturday, June 23, 2018.
BACKGROUND: Earlier this year Council established a five-member Ad Hoc Committee on Council Compensation, which the City Manager appointed, in order to study if the compensation of the Mayor and Members of Council should be for the upcoming term (calendar years 2019, 2020, and 2021) of Council. The compensation level for Council for its next term needs to be set by July 6, 2018. Last month the Ad Hoc Committee issued its report (attached). The Ad Hoc Committee recommended that since Council Compensation has not been increased in 15 years, that an inflationary adjustment be applied to the Mayor’s current compensation of $30,500 and also other Members of Council’s current compensation of $27,500. The resultant new compensation levels would be $41,600 for the Mayor and $37,500 for other Members of Council. If approved, these new compensation levels would be lower than Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties, but higher than the City of Falls Church and Fairfax City.
FISCAL IMPACT: The FY 2019 fiscal impact of the Ad Hoc Committee’s changes would be $40,300 (compensation increase plus applicable fringe benefit costs for one-half of a fiscal year) and $80,600 for FY 2020 and beyond.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance
2. Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Council Compensation
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