This measure would basically double the salary of a council member to more than $20,000 and provide subsidized health insurance at the city employee rate. City Council members currently receive just over $200 per meeting annually adjusted for inflation for up to 52 meetings per year. Ballot issue 2R would continue the per meeting payment and pay an additional base salary, also annually adjusted, of $10,000 per year.
City Council members also have the following benefits:
1) free Eco Passes like all city board and commission members,
2) can participate in the city’s retirement program but receive no matching funds, and
3) pay the same rates for rec center memberships as city employees.
In 2012 City Council asked for and received a small pay raise via ballot issue 2C by changing the number of meetings for which members are compensated from a maximum of 4 meetings per month to a maximum of 52 meetings per year. Two previous attempts to raise their salary in 2007 and 2008 were rejected by the voters.
Recommendation: for
Paying people (more) adequately for their work is the right thing to do. I would hope that Boulder citizen would value the work of governing the city.
I would personally like to see City Council salary language taken out of the Charter and put in the Boulder Revised Code, but I suspect that Boulder voters would balk at losing the ability to vote on Council members’ pay.
Some people question whether the four City Council members not up for re-election should be eligible for this pay raise. If the pay for City Council were adequate, I might agree, but it’s just timing that keeps those four from being up for election. In particular, all Council members should immediately have the health insurance option. Access to health services should be a right and not a privilege.
I’m not optimistic that more diverse candidates will end up on City Council because of this proposed pay raise. A mere $20K or $21K isn’t a big enough incentive to serve on Council, and money is probably the wrong incentive anyway.
Website for the Yes side
No known website – Info on a proponent website appreciated.
Website for the No side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2R
Amending Charter Provisions Regarding Compensation for Council Members
Shall Section 7 of the Charter be amended pursuant to Ordinance No. 8052 to add an annual salary for council members in the amount of $10,000, with an annual increase equal to the percentage increase in the consumer price index and to add health benefits equivalent to those received by city employees?
For the Measure ____
Against the Measure ____
Ordinance 8052 to refer 2R to the voters
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/weblink8/0/doc/130114/Page1.aspx
City Council members also have the following benefits:
1) free Eco Passes like all city board and commission members,
2) can participate in the city’s retirement program but receive no matching funds, and
3) pay the same rates for rec center memberships as city employees.
In 2012 City Council asked for and received a small pay raise via ballot issue 2C by changing the number of meetings for which members are compensated from a maximum of 4 meetings per month to a maximum of 52 meetings per year. Two previous attempts to raise their salary in 2007 and 2008 were rejected by the voters.
Recommendation: for
Paying people (more) adequately for their work is the right thing to do. I would hope that Boulder citizen would value the work of governing the city.
I would personally like to see City Council salary language taken out of the Charter and put in the Boulder Revised Code, but I suspect that Boulder voters would balk at losing the ability to vote on Council members’ pay.
Some people question whether the four City Council members not up for re-election should be eligible for this pay raise. If the pay for City Council were adequate, I might agree, but it’s just timing that keeps those four from being up for election. In particular, all Council members should immediately have the health insurance option. Access to health services should be a right and not a privilege.
I’m not optimistic that more diverse candidates will end up on City Council because of this proposed pay raise. A mere $20K or $21K isn’t a big enough incentive to serve on Council, and money is probably the wrong incentive anyway.
Website for the Yes side
No known website – Info on a proponent website appreciated.
Website for the No side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2R
Amending Charter Provisions Regarding Compensation for Council Members
Shall Section 7 of the Charter be amended pursuant to Ordinance No. 8052 to add an annual salary for council members in the amount of $10,000, with an annual increase equal to the percentage increase in the consumer price index and to add health benefits equivalent to those received by city employees?
For the Measure ____
Against the Measure ____
Ordinance 8052 to refer 2R to the voters
https://documents.bouldercolorado.gov/weblink8/0/doc/130114/Page1.aspx
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