The $50,750 increase is about 73.6%. The council chair’s annual pay will rise from $77,000 to $129,750, an increase of $52,750, or about 68.5%.

The new salaries follow a 2024 vote by county residents to expand the council from seven members to nine and amend the county charter to treat council service as full-time for compensation purposes. The changes apply to members seated after the November election.

The council’s Personnel and Salary Advisory Board had recommended annual pay of $140,000 for members and $150,000 for the chair. The council approved lower figures in a 4-2 vote. Councilman Todd Crandell was absent; Councilmen Nino Mangione and David Marks voted against the measure.

During debate, Councilman Izzy Patoka said council members’ duties and workload have increased, pointing to residents’ expectations for quick replies through email, text messages and social media. Mangione argued the expanded council would mean fewer constituents per member, and said the county has other pressing needs, including public safety and infrastructure, as residents face financial strain.

The council separately approved raising the county executive’s annual salary from $192,000 to $240,000 for the term beginning in December 2026. That measure passed 5-1, with Mangione opposed and Crandell absent.

A proposal concerning the county’s chief administrative officer was postponed for further discussion at the council’s next work session and legislative session.

The compensation changes will also increase county retirement-system costs. An actuarial analysis estimated that several compensation measures together would add $133,259 to annual employer retirement costs beginning in fiscal year 2029, including $90,375 tied to council compensation.