In a move to adjust civic salaries with the rhythm of inflation, the City of Blaine passed an ordinance ensuring their elected officials' pay would rise with the cost of living. The mandate, outlined in Ord 24-2539, which amends City Charter Section 2.07, was to cement a process wherein the pay for councilmembers and the mayor is set by ordinance and calibrated every odd-numbered June by the charter commission to reflect living cost adjustments accorded to city staff.
The recently approved ordinance, detailed in a municipal proclamation, spells out clearly that any salary amendments for officials will seek to closely mirror annual cost-of-living adjustments. This move is designed to evenly pace salary increments with the shifting economic landscape, a response perhaps to the need to maintain a stable governance structure that does not lag behind economic realities. The ordinance states, "The monthly salary of each of the council members and the mayor shall be established by ordinance. Review of salaries shall be conducted by the charter commission in June of every odd-numbered year and recommendations for adjustments, if any, be to based on the annual cost of living adjustments consistent with adjustments provided to city staff."
Moreover, this legislative update does not stop at just adjusting salaries as per inflation. It also includes a provision that allows the mayor and council members to be compensated for days spent, and expenses incurred, while they are away on city business. This explicitly acknowledges the additional effort and resources officials may have to commit when representing Blaine beyond its borders.
