Salary commission asking for residents’ input

The Spokane Valley Salary Commission has a question for residents: Should the City Council members get a raise?

The commission, made up of five Valley residents, will provide an answer to that by Aug. 2, but it wants to hear from citizens before it makes a decision.

“We feel, as citizens, we should go the extra mile and give people an opportunity to give feedback,” said Dave Gregory, chairman of the commission.

The commission is studying how the salaries compare with those in other Washington cities. Currently, Spokane Valley’s mayor earns $500 a month and council members earn $400.

Citizens can weigh in in three different ways. They can call City Hall at 921-1000, e-mail Deputy City Manager Nina Regor at nregor@spokanevalley.org or attend the next Salary Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.

“Even if they can’t come to the meeting, if they want to give written comments or make phone calls, that would be a great help,” Gregory said.

Gregory encouraged citizens to comment early. The commission will begin writing its proposal soon.

Once filed, the new salaries become part of the budget without further council action.

Residents will have 30 days to petition, which would force a public vote in November on the new salaries.