Council compensation up for discussion

Mayor and councilmembers will consider first increase in pay since 1999 at meeting

The Longmont City Council will discuss how much council members and the mayor should be paid during its regular meeting tonight.

Longmont City Council members currently receive $1,000 a month for their service to the city, while the mayor receives $1,500 a month.

A council memo attached to tonight’s meeting agenda did not list an official staff recommendation as to how much council members and the mayor should be paid. It did, though, mention $1,300 a month for council members and $2,000 a month for the mayor as an example.

The City Council’s pay has not been adjusted since 1999.

During a Jan. 23 council meeting, Councilmember Shiquita Yarbrough made a motion, which was seconded by Councilmember Aren Rodriguez, to discuss a potential salary increase for the council at a future meeting.

That motion passed 6-1 with Councilmember Diane Crist casting the lone “no” vote.

In September, Yarbrough brought up concerns about how some residents who are passionate about Longmont and who want to serve on the City Council can’t due to the low pay and amount of time that it requires.

Council members and the mayor also serve as liaisons to the city’s various volunteer boards and commissions.

In an interview Monday, Crist acknowledged that council meetings, which typically begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and last for several hours, are not conducive to parents with young children who want to run for local office.

“I don’t think the answer is more compensation,” Crist said. “I think something we could do is provide better support in terms of scheduling.” The City Council may approve an ordinance to adjust the compensation of council members and the mayor. However, any pay increase would not take effect until after the city’s next regular election in 2025, according to the charter.

“I think, generally, what the council needs to work on is addressing affordability,” Crist said.

The Longmont City Council’s regular meeting today is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 350 Kimbark St.