Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2018-25:  An ordinance amending Section 1-07-001-0005, Salaries, of the Flagstaff City Code and establishing an effective date. 

In accordance with Flagstaff City Code Section 1-07-001-0005(B), on the periodic review of councilmember salaries, in 2017 the City Manager convened a five-member citizen commission (Commission) comprised of the chairs of city commissions to review and provide a recommendation for council member salaries. Under the code as currently written, this review occurs every fourth year, before the election. The Commission requested, and received, salary comparisons with other cities and pertinent cost of living information. After meeting on November 16, 2017 and December 7, 2017, the Commission made recommendations as set forth below.

Commission recommendation:

A)  Adjust the annual salary of the Mayor from the current $36,000 to $38,500, effective upon the beginning of the term of the Mayor after the next general election in November of 2018.
B) Adjust the annual salaries of Councilmembers from the current $24,000 to $25,500, effective upon the beginning of the terms of elected Councilmembers after the next general election in November 2018. 
C) Adjust the monthly routine travel and meal allowance of the Mayor from the current $210 to $250, effective upon the beginning of the term of the Mayor after the next general election in November 2018.
D) Adjust the monthly routine travel and meal allowance of Councilmembers from the current $150 to $166, effective upon the beginning of the terms of elected Councilmembers after the next general election in November 2018.
E) Increase the non-routine travel and other expenses in the budget of the Mayor from the current annual amount of $2,478.57to $4,125 effective July 1, 2018. 
F) Increase the non-routine travel and other expenses in the budget of the Councilmembers from the current annual amount of $2,478.57 to $2,750 effective July 1, 2018.

No sitting member of Council is eligible to receive any salary increase that may be voted upon unless and until he or she is re-elected to office at the next general election.  As a result, incumbent Councilmembers who are in the middle of their current term of office will not be eligible to receive this salary adjustment unless re-elected to office in the general election of November 2020.

On December 12, 2017, the City Council considered a possible ordinance based on the Commission's recommendation. Council did not adopt the proposed ordinance but opted instead to discuss possible amendments to pertinent Flagstaff City Code. Staff prepared a proposed ordinance for Council discussion on June 5, 2018.

As a result of the conversation on June 5, 2018, the following amendments have been made to Ordinance 2018-25 for Council consideration:

• Increase the salary of the Mayor and Councilmembers.
• Clarification of the Commission membership.
• Maintain August 1st deadline for final recommendation from the Commission, so the Commission may reconvene to hear the City Council discussion from the June 5, 2018 Council meeting and hear any public comment in relation to Mayor and Councilmembers salaries.
• An option for Council to elect raises in salaries to occur for the Mayor and Councilmembers at the same time.
• Increase in the routine travel and meals allowance for Mayor and Councilmembers.
• An option for the Mayor to select a monthly allowance for routine travel and meals or a City issued vehicle and lesser monthly stipend.
• Statement related to non-routine travel and other expenses included in the budget process.

The salary and benefits for Mayor and Councilmembers are included in the City's fiscal year budget.

Adopting this ordinance will update the Flagstaff City Code Section 1-07-001-0005, Salaries.

 

 Brief discussion and first read of this ordinance occurred at the June 19, 2018, Regular Council Meeting.