The Mountlake Terrace City Council recently approved an ordinance to create an independent Mountlake Terrace Salary Commission, consisting of five Commissioners, to set the salaries of its elected officials. In the past, salaries have been periodically adjusted via Council adoption of an ordinance, most recently in 2001.
Members of the Salary Commission must be residents of the city. Members of the Commission must not be an officer, official, or employee of the city or an immediate family member of an officer, official, or employee of the city. Appointed members will serve for one salary review term and without compensation.
Every five years, beginning this year, a Salary Commission will be appointed by the Mayor, and ratified by the City Council to conduct a salary review. The Commission will then determine the salaries the City of Mountlake Terrace will pay its elected officials.
If the Commission determines that the salary paid to the Mayor or City Council should be increased or decreased, the Commission will adopt by a resolution with a written salary schedule and file it with the City Clerk indicating the increase or decrease in salary.
The Commission shall convene, complete its review, adopt by resolution and file its schedule of salaries for the Mayor and City Council with the City Clerk within 120 days of the appointment of the Commission. The 120-day review time schedule may be extended upon request by the Commission and approval by the City Council.
Meetings may be scheduled by the Chair of the Commission or by a majority vote of the Commission. All meetings of the Commission will be open to the public and a public hearing will be held prior to a Commission vote to increase or decrease salaries to provide an opportunity for the public, the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and/or City Council members to address the Commission.
Any salary increase or decrease established by the Commission is subject to referendum petition by the people of the city. In the event a valid referendum petition is filed, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by a vote of the people.
Applications are due by June 13, 2019. The City Council will discuss the appointments at their July 11 work/study session with ratification currently scheduled for July 15. The term shall commence upon City Council appointment and confirmation and shall terminate upon the Commission’s adoption of written salary schedule by resolution and filing of the statement of salaries with the City Clerk or until the Commission by majority vote determines that no salary adjustment is warranted. No member of the Commission shall be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.
To apply, please visit www.cityofmlt.com/2036 or pick up an application at City Hall, 6100 219th Street SW #200 on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Assistant City Manager Stephen Clifton at (425) 744-6209.
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