2026 04-21 Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Charter Language comparisons for council/mayor compensation setting. National Charter City Model Section 2.04. Compensation; Expenses. The city council may determine the annual salary of the mayor and council members by ordinance, but no ordinance increasing such salary shall become effective until the date of commencement of the terms of council members elected at the next regular election. The mayor and council members shall receive their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties of office. Commentary. Under the Model, council members are part-time officials and do not direct city departments. Council salary level depends on a variety of factors specific to each community, including the part-time nature of the position and the emphasis on policy-making rather than administration. The city should reimburse council members for expenses incurred in performing their duties, e.g., travel to the state capital to testify on behalf of the city. The Model rejects the setting of the actual amount of compensation in the charter except for the salary of the first council after the charter goes into effect see § 10.05(f)). The delay in the effective date of any salary increases provides ample protection. The city should provide extra compensation for the mayor because, in addition to regular responsibilities as a council member, the mayor has intergovernmental, ceremonial, and city-related promotional responsibilities. MN Statute 415.11 SECOND TO FOURTH CLASS CITIES; GOVERNING BODY SALARIES. Subdivision 1.Set by ordinance. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, charter, or ordinance, the governing body of any statutory or home rule charter city of the second, third or fourth class may by ordinance fix their own salaries as members of such governing body, and the salary of the chief elected executive officer of such city, in such amount as they deem reasonable. Subd. 2.After next election. No change in salary shall take effect until after the next succeeding municipal election. Subd. 3.Temporary reductions. Notwithstanding subdivision 2 or a charter provision to the contrary, the governing body may enact an ordinance to take effect before the next succeeding municipal election that reduces the salaries of the members of the governing body. The ordinance shall be in effect for 12 months, unless another period of time is specified in the ordinance, after which the salary of the members reverts to the salary in effect immediately before the ordinance was enacted. 20260408_BA page 6 of 6