Council salaries may increase

City Council members say Spokane’s strong mayor should be matched by a strong legislative body – and that could be accomplished by increasing their pay.

The Spokane City Council decided Monday night to create a salary review commission that will decide whether their salaries should be raised and by how much. Some believe the City Council positions could become full-time jobs.

Currently, council members are paid $18,000 a year plus benefits that include enrollment in the city’s health insurance plan. The council president earns $40,000 annually.

The commission’s five members, who will be appointed by the mayor with consent by the council after review from the ethics commission, will decide by May 31 whether the council and its president deserve more money.

Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin, who proposed the commission, said higher pay would allow council members to serve full time. She added that increased pay would encourage more people to run for office.

Most on the council now are self-employed. Of those serving, only Councilwoman Mary Verner and Councilman Brad Stark have jobs with outside employers.

“The issue is people are saying we need a strong council,” McLaughlin said. “You can only expect so much from a part-time council.”

Spokane voters decided in 1999 to transform the city’s government from one led by a hired city manager to one led by an elected strong mayor.

Councilman Al French, who is running for mayor, said when the government was changed, there was not enough consideration of the legislative body.

“What has evolved is an incredible amount of work for all the council members,” French said. “It’s a seven-day-a-week job.”

But former Councilman Steve Corker, who is competing in today’s primary election in hopes of returning to the council, said the biggest deterrence for those who want to run for office isn’t the low pay – it’s the fear of taking four years off from their careers.

Higher pay will create more career politicians, Corker said after the council meeting.

“That’s no longer public service.”

The council voted unanimously to create the salary commission. Councilman Brad Stark was absent.

The new commission, which will convene every even-numbered year, will have the final say on council pay – unless voters collect enough signatures to make it their decision.

“They’re going to look at $18,000 and say, ‘Well, maybe it can be a little bit more,’ ” Council President Joe Shogan said. “I doubt they’re going to say it should be less, but they could.”