City Councilman Andrew Macdonald thinks that the city’s elected leaders aren’t paid enough, and he wants to increase their paychecks by $12,500 a year. He says that the current salary for council members — $27,500 — is not enough to attract a broad range of potential candidates. Instead, Macdonald says he’d like to see the salary range closer to $40,000.
"With the current salary, you’re not going to get the average person on the street," Macdonald said. "It’s in the interest of the city to have well-paid council members who have diverse backgrounds."
But he recognizes that public perception of a raise would be a difficult hurdle to overcome, especially in this time of increased budget scrutiny.
"Nobody wants to talk about it, but the current way of doing business attracts those who are fairly wealthy or those who are likely to need an infusion of cash," he said. "I think it breeds corruption."
CITY MANAGER JIM HARTMANN, who investigated the issue of raising council members’ salaries this month, laid out a plan to give them a retroactive 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment for the past three years. The plan, which was presented at the Nov. 22 legislative session, calls for council members to receive an annual salary of $29,183 — a raise that would add $11,965 to the upcoming budget.
Hartmann’s plan received a chilly reception at the legislative meeting.
"I think it sends the wrong message at a time when people in the community are making major sacrifices to get their tax bills paid," said Vice Mayor Del Pepper. "Even if the increase is very small, it still has a perception that I don’t want to be identified with."
Councilman Rob Krupicka agreed, adding that the upcoming budget cycle would be a difficult time to give council members a raise.
"I have some reservations about this because we’re asking staff to dig incredibly deep into the budget of the city to find places for savings," said Councilman Rob Krupicka. "While we’re asking them to look hard and fast for pennies, we should be willing to look hard and fast for pennies ourselves."
Councilman Ludwig Gaines also opposed the cost-of-living increase.
"Quite frankly, I think that we’re grossly underpaid," said Councilman Ludwig Gaines. "But I share some of the reservations of my colleagues, and I’ll say flatly now that I will not support a pay raise."
Council members moved the process along, accepting the city manager’s recommendation. An ordinance will be introduced on Dec. 13 and a public hearing will be scheduled for Dec. 17.
If Council members decide to support the cost-of-living increase, the raise would be effective after the May election. If they decide not to give themselves a raise, the next opportunity to consider the salaries will be in 2009.
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What They Make:
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Mayor’s current salary: $30,500
2-percent increase for FY2004: $31,110
2-percent increase for FY2005: $31,732
2-percent increase for FY2006: $32,367
Council members current salary: $27,500
2-percent increase for FY2004: $28,050
2-percent increase for FY2005: $28,611
2-percent increase for FY2006: $29,183
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What Others Make
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Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
chairman: $59,000
board members: $59,000
Arlington County Board
chairman: $32,474
board members: $29,522
Prince William County Board of Supervisors
chairman: $44,153
board members: $38,768
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors
chairman: $40,000
board members: $22,400