HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 Compensation Report - signedJuly 2, 2024
Armando Pavone, Mayor
Jason Seth, City Clerk
From: 2024 Independent Salary Commission
RE: Formal Report, Findings, & Conclusion -Salary and Compensation Schedule
Background:
Renton City Council adopted Ordinance 5773 to establish an Independent Salary Commission to
review councilmember compensation. Mayor Pavone appointed, and Council confirmed the
following seven members to the 2024 Independent Salary Commission on May 6, 2024.
1.Julio Amador
2.Nicole Hill
3.Kevin Iden
4.Tim Searing
5.Jeff Kelly
6.Mary Clymer (alternate)
7.Brian Fife (alternate)
The meeting of the 2024 Independent Salary Commission was called to order on June 18, 2024,
at 4:30 p.m., in the Council Conference Room of Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way. City staff
present included Kim Gilman, Interim Human Resources and Risk Management Administrator,
Sarah Jacobs, Senior Employee Relations Analyst, Sean Hollingsworth, Senior Finance Analyst,
and Jason Seth, City Clerk. Commissioners present included Julio Amador, Nicole Hill, Kevin Iden,
Tim Searing, and alternate commissioners Mary Clymer and Brian Fife. Mr. Seth noted that Mr.
Kelly was absent and that only one of the two alternate commissioners could act in his absence.
Mr. Fife graciously deferred this duty to Ms. Clymer.
Review of Commission's Roles and Responsibilities:
Mr. Seth explained that the Commission's role was to examine City of Renton Councilmember
salary and benefits. He added that Councilmember salaries and benefits have not been reviewed
since 2020.
The Commissioners were presented with their duties as outlined in the Renton Municipal Code
(RMC) 2-20-04. As an independent decision-making body, the Commission is charged with
evaluating the full compensation, including salaries and benefits, of Renton City
Council members. The responsibilities of the Commission include studying the relationship of
salaries to the duties of Council President and Councilmembers, and the costs personally
incurred by Councilmembers while performing those duties; studying Renton City
Councilmember salaries and benefits to those of other jurisdictions; establishing salary and
benefits by increasing or decreasing current compensation; and filing a salary and benefit
compensation report with the City Clerk within 90 days of this meeting.
Review of City Council Roles and Responsibilities:
Review of Council Compensation among Comparable Cities:
Analysis and Deliberation:
the percentage of COLA city employees received since 2020 was warranted. Additionally, the
commissioners decided to meet again on July 2, 2024, to review the report before signing and
submitting it to the City Clerk for presentation to Renton City Council.
Finding and Conclusions:
Based on the above discussion, the 2024 Independent Salary Commission found that:
1.Renton councilmembers are paid a salary currently within 0.5% of the average monthly
wage of comparable cities.
2.Renton City Councilmembers do not receive annual COLA increases.
3.Renton City Councilmembers' salary and benefits are more aligned with being a stipend
to recognize their time, expertise, and commitment to public service than compensation
for actual time provided and work performed.
4.Changes to benefits were deemed to be not warranted, and Councilmembers are
eligible for reimbursement of expenses including travel for assigned/approved
conferences (e.g. mileage, lodging, parking, meals) and certain office and operating
supplies.
The Commission took a tally vote to determine the amount of compensation. The voting went as
follows:
Option 1: $150 per month increase -Zero Votes
Option 2: $250 per month increase -Four Votes
Option 3: $600 per month increase -One Vote
Option 2, having the most votes, was determined to be the amount of increase warranted by
the 2024 Independent Salary Commission.
The Commission was told that the effective date must be 30 days following Council acceptance
of this report to allow for a 30-day referendum filing period.
NOW THEREFORE, the Commission establishes the following Salary and Compensation Schedule:
Section 1.
Section 2.
Salary:
To continue to attract and maintain qualified City Councilmember candidates, to
keep Renton in line with the current market, and to recognize the time
commitment that a Councilmember position requires, the Commission hereby
determined an increase in salaries is warranted; and hereby establishes the
salaries, with an effective date of 30 days after Council accepts this report, as
follows:
POSITION
Council President
Council members
Benefits:
CURRENT SALARY
$2,050 per month
$1,750 per month
NEW SALARY
$2,300 per month
$2,000 per month
The Commission determined that no change is warranted at this time regarding
benefits.