Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Consent
Item Title:
title
Hyattsville Ordinance 2023-01: Adopting the Compensation Review Committee Recommendation
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the Mayor and Council introduce Hyattsville Ordinance 2023-01, an Ordinance whereby the City Council raises the salary of the Mayor and Councilmembers beginning July 1, 2025, and grants raises in each successive year through July 1, 2028 pursuant to the recommendation of the 2022 Compensation Review Committee (FIRST READING).
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Summary Background:
Per City Charter, a seven-person compensation review committee, with representation from each of the City’s five wards, was appointed in November 2022 to review and make recommendations for the compensation of the Mayor and all City Councilmembers. The City’s HR Director, Jay Joyner served as the staff liaison for the committee with assistance from Vivian Snellman.
The Committee is required by City Charter to make its recommendation as to any compensation increase, decrease, or lack of change, at least 90 days prior to the election (February 8). The recommendation was presented during the Council Meeting of February 6, 2023. The length of time covered by the committee’s recommendation to the Mayor and Council shall be no less than (3) three fiscal years and no more than (6) six fiscal years. The 2019 Compensation Review Committee’s recommendations currently run through June 30, 2025.
The committee met eight (8) times between December 2022 - February 2023 to evaluate and discuss the recommendation. The committee reviewed the work of the 2019 Compensation Review Committee and additional materials provided by staff including information comparing the City’s compensation for elected officials to comparable municipalities. The committee also utilized a survey to current and former City of Hyattsville elected officials and a survey of the public on council compensation posted to the Hello Hyattsville website to inform their recommendation. The recommendation of the committee and their presentation is attached to this agenda item. Per the City Charter, the Mayor and Council shall have no power to alter or amend the committee’s recommendation but shall either accept it or reject it by motion, resolution, or ordinance.
At the Council Meeting of February 21, the Council accepted the committee’s recommendation and directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for the recommendations. The ordinance is attached to this agenda item.
Next Steps:
Council introduction of the ordinance. A second reading/adoption is scheduled for April 3. The ordinance will be effective on April 23, with the first of the compensation committee’s recommendations going into effect in July 2025.
Fiscal Impact:
Please refer to the chart in the committee’s report.
City Administrator Comments:
N/A
Community Engagement:
Meeting of the Compensation Committee were open to the public and the committee utilized surveying tools to engage the public.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 2 - Ensure the Long-Term Economic Viability of the City
Legal Review Required?
Complete