No formal recommendations have yet been made, but it’s likely Vancouver’s mayor, mayor pro tem and city council will see a raise between 2 and 4 percent in 2019 and 2020.
The Vancouver Salary Review Commission met for the fourth time Monday and for the first time each member tossed out a raise range they were comfortable with.
“I think that’s helpful to see where we are,” said Chair MarCine Miles. “So we don’t have people worried about 114 percent increases. Perhaps it would be easier for the community to work with us and we won’t have as much conflict as we did last time.”
Miles’ remark referred, of course, to the last time the Salary Review Commission met in 2016. After a 117 percent raise for the mayor and a 50 percent raise for council was approved, public outcry and a petition to overturn the decision ultimately resulted in the commission reconvening and approving a 4 percent raise for 2017 and 2018.
The commission needs to submit its new recommendations by May 1, as outlined in the city charter. Past meetings have been spent gathering information and comparative data to other cities in Washington.
Much of Monday’s meeting was also devoted to a discussion about benefits. The commission does not have the power to adjust the council’s benefit package, although some benefits are directly tied to salary, meaning if the salary rate increases, so do those benefit rates. The life insurance policy, for example, adjusts accordingly.
Miles wanted to add a question to the questionnaire now being sent to council to determine if the commission should consider if there are additional benefits that need to be taken into consideration. Her request was denied by the rest of the commission.
“I think we’re gathering a lot of information that I don’t know how pertinent it is,” said Commissioner Teresa Meyer.
Commissioner Frank L’Amie added that he didn’t want to end up in a quagmire and spend the next three months arguing about benefits “when we don’t have the power to do anything anyway.”
Miles also asked that council be asked how much compensation played into their decision to run for office. While the rest of the commission said they didn’t know how much value the question would provide, they ultimately decided to include it on the questionnaire.
The commission adjourned an hour ahead of schedule after listening to public testimony and offering an initial range for a possible pay increase. The next meetings are already set for 10 a.m. to noon March 30, April 11 and April 17. At least two members are unable to meet at the final date, but Commissioner Magan Reed said given that the commission seems to be on the same page, the meeting may not be necessary.
Miles added that she’s proud of the work the commission has completed so far.
“We’re not on a racetrack,” she said. “In my opinion, we’re not delayed or behind. We’ve worked very efficiently and very hard.”
