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ITEM #: 11.
DATE: 11/27/2023

AI #:1741
CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
 
SUBJECT: COMPENSATION FOR THE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS
 
STAFF PRESENTER(S): Lyman Locket, Human Resources Director

OTHER PRESENTER(S):

Susan Schmelzer, Council Compensation Committee Chair

SUMMARY

The Council Compensation Committee conducted a review of the compensation provided to elected City officials. As a result of this review, the Council Compensation Committee recommends a salary increase of 5.0% to the Mayor, Vice Mayor and each Councilmember, effective July 1, 2024.

STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT

 

RECOMMENDATION

ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-2372  ACCEPTING THE COUNCIL COMPENSATION COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION AND APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMPENSATION INCREASE OF 5.0% FOR THE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND EACH OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS AND PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Lyman Locket, Human Resources Director)

FISCAL IMPACT

The fiscal impact of a 5.0% salary increases for the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and each Councilmember (when fully seated) is $5,591.22 annually plus employee related expenses. The table below summarizes the changes by position and in total. If approved by council the changes will be reflected in the City Manager’s Recommended FY2025 budget.
 
  FY2024 (current) FY2025 (proposed) Change
MAYOR 31,500.04 33,075.04 1,575.00
VICE MAYOR 17,325.10 18,191.36 866.26
COUNCILMEMBER (5) 12,599.86 13,229.85 629.99
TOTAL 111,824.44 117,415.66 5,591.22

BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS

On March 9, 2021, voters approved the updated City Charter, which incorporated changes to City Code Section 2-1-5 (Council Compensation). These modifications introduced a permanent Council Compensation Committee.
The Council Compensation Committee convened on October 14 and November 17, 2021, to assess Council compensation using benchmark survey data. On February 28, 2022, the Committee proposed a 5% salary increase for the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and each Councilmember. This recommendation was ratified through Resolution 2022-2214, and the 5% salary increases took effect on July 1, 2022.
In accordance with the City charter, the Council Compensation Committee assembled on November 1 and 8, 2023, to assess Council compensation in comparison to benchmark survey data and formulate a recommendation for Council compensation.
Pursuant to the City Charter, Council can only adopt or reject the recommendation.

STAFF ANALYSIS

The Council Compensation Committee reviewed survey data that compared Goodyear to 11 benchmark cities in the Phoenix metro area. According to these benchmarks, the Mayor's compensation is at 60.7% of the market average, the Vice Mayor's at 56.4%, and Council Members' at 41.0%. Considering the existing compensation, the dedication invested in their roles, and data from similar cities in Arizona, the Committee proposes a 5.0% increase for the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and each Councilmember.
The City Charter, approved March 9, 2021, states when the Committee recommends a change in the salaries for elected officials of an amount less than 5.1%, a vote of the electors will not be required.

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