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Panel: Double council salaries

By J. FERGUSON
Sun Staff Reporter
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

A citizen's panel is recommending a near doubling of salaries for the Flagstaff City Counciland mayor to $24,000 and $36,000, respectively.

A citizen panel feels $1,000 a month is insufficient to attract quality candidates to the Flagstaff City Council. The advisory group has recommended an annual salary of between $22,000 and $24,000 for councilmembers and a hike in the mayor's salary from $18,000 to between $33,000 and $36,000.

A city ordinance requires the panel to meet at least once every four years to review the salaries of elected officials.

But a decision from the council whether to adopt their commendation is six weeks away, with the council tabling a decision Monday in order to get public input.

The panel was keenly aware the recommendation has little immediate effect on the incumbents, as any raise would not take effect until after their reelection. Repeatedly, members of the group said they were more concerned in attracting a diverse candidate pool in future elections.

"I feel strongly that the position is complex and requires a substantial amount of time ... the decisions they make are extremely important," said Celia Barotz, a Realtor and the vice-chairperson for the city's Planning and Zoning Commission.

A joint statement specifically referred to the 2006 general city election as a reason to increase council salaries.

"It is important that we have a diverse candidate pool that reflects our community," the group wrote. "Only four candidates ran for three city council seats during the last election cycle even after the increase in salary from $3,600 to $12,000."

Four members of the panel signed the letter: Jack Doggett, Charlotte Dodgson, Florence Karlstrom and Barotz. Panelist Nat White did not attend the meeting. The committee cited these additional reasons in making the recommendation:

-- The position of city council member is demanding and requires time to devote to attending council meetings, meeting with constituents, and attending other conferences and meetings on behalf of the city all take time.

-- A diverse and politically divided electorate that places high expectations on council members.

-- Both municipal and private employers are being forced to offer higher wages to attract employees.

The panel reviewed comparable salaries in other Arizona cities and towns but would eventually reject using them as a guide for the city council salaries.

"I don't think we need to look at other communities to make our decision," said Barotz. "There are so many variables."

Locally, membership on the elected governing board ofthe Flagstaff Unified School District is an unpaid position.

But each of the five members of the Coconino County Board of Supervisors is paid $56,500 a year.

A state legislator's salary is $24,000 a year, plus daily housing and meal allowances when the Legislature is in session.

Barotz, who often attends council meetings, knows first-hand how council meetings can last for hours.

She says the complexity of some issues before the council requires more than a part-time commitment and knows of one councilmember who takes vacation time from his job just to attend council functions.

"He is lucky he has a employer who is supportive of his job," said Barotz. Doggett agreed with Barotz, noting the commitment leaves little room for other pursuits.

"You don't have another life if you are on Council," Doggett said.

J. Ferguson can be reached at 556-2253 or jferguson@azdailysun.com.

Current Salaries

Flagstaff City Council: $12,000

Flagstaff Mayor: $18,000

County Supervisor: $56,500

FUSD School Board: $0

State Legislator: $24,000

Proposed:

Flagstaff City Council: $22,000 - $24,000

Flagstaff Mayor: $33,000 - $36,000

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