Chapter 2.68
SALARY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.68.010 Salary commission may be created.
2.68.010 Salary commission may be created.
By a majority vote of the council, a salary commission consistent with RCW 35.21.015 may be created on an as-needed basis to review the salaries of the council and/or mayor. (Ord. 1629 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1014 § 2, 2004).
2.68.020 Membership.
A. The salary commission shall have three members, who shall be appointed by the mayor, with approval of the council, for a maximum term of two years.
B. No member may be appointed to more than two terms on the salary commission.
C. Members may be removed during their terms for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence.
D. No officer, official, or employee of the city or any of their immediate family members may serve as a member of the salary commission. (Ord. 1629 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1014 § 3, 2004).
2.68.030 Powers.
A. The salary commission, if created in accordance with BLMC 2.68.010 and 2.68.020, shall review and set the salaries for elected officials of the city.
B. Any change in salary shall be filed by the commission with the city clerk and shall become effective and incorporated into the city budget without further action of the city council or salary commission.
C. Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to incumbent city elected officials, regardless of their terms in office, subject to the provisions of BLMC 2.68.040.
D. Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent city elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office.
E. Commission action fixing the salaries of elected officials of the city pursuant to this chapter shall supersede any provision of any other city ordinance related to such salaries.
F. The commission shall automatically dissolve after the completion of salary review and the filing of salary changes with the city clerk.
G. If no commission is currently constituted, the council may set salaries by ordinance consistent with RCW 35A.12.070. (Ord. 1629 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1014 § 4, 2004).
2.68.040 Referendum.
A. Salary increases and decreases set by the commission shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the city in the same manner as a city ordinance upon filing of such petition with the city clerk within 30 days after filing of the salary schedule. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by vote of the people.
B. Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city at the next following general or municipal election occurring 30 days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the general laws applicable to referendum measures. (Ord. 1629 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1014 § 5, 2004).
2.68.050 Meetings to be open.
The proceedings and actions of the salary commission shall be undertaken in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW, as if the commission was a “governing body” as defined in that Act; provided, that notice of all meetings of the commission shall be issued pursuant to RCW 42.30.080, and the commission shall not meet in executive session. (Ord. 1629 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1014 § 6, 2004).