Chapter 2.80 INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION

Chapter 2.80
INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION

Sections:

2.80.010 Independent salary commission created – Purpose.

2.80.070 Salary schedule – Effective date – Referendum.

2.80.010 Independent salary commission created – Purpose.

There is hereby established a Federal Way independent salary commission pursuant to RCW 35.21.015. The purpose of the commission shall be to review and establish the salaries of the mayor and the councilmembers, as provided by RCW 35.21.015.

(Ord. No. 23-960, § 44, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 03-439, § 3(i), 3-18-03. Code 2001 § 2-95.8.)

2.80.030 Membership and appointment.

(1) The independent salary commission shall consist of up to five voting members and up to two alternate members appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council.

(2) The independent salary commission shall serve without compensation.

(3) Each member of the independent salary commission shall serve a term of four years, except that the first five commission members shall be appointed for different terms, as follows: one member to serve for a period of one year, one member to serve for a period of two years, one member to serve for a period of three years, and two members to serve for a period of four years. The mayor, with the approval of the city council, may appoint alternate independent salary commission members as the need arises.

(4) No member may be appointed to more than two terms on the independent salary commission whether or not those terms are held consecutively.

(5) No person shall be appointed to serve as a voting member or alternate member of the independent salary commission unless that person is a citizen of the United States, a resident of the city for at least one year immediately preceding such appointment, and an elector (registered voter) of the county in which the member resides.

(6) No city officer, official, or employee of the city or any of their immediate family members may serve on the commission. “Immediate family member,” as used in this section, means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official, or employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.

(7) If, for any reason, a vacancy occurs during the term of an independent salary commission member, the mayor shall appoint, with the approval of the city council, a new voting or alternate member to fill the unexpired term of that voting or alternate member.

(8) The city council may remove an independent salary commission member at any time for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence.

(9) Each member has a responsibility to disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest prior to being appointed and as they may arise at any time thereafter.

(Ord. No. 23-960, § 46, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 14-765, § 1, 4-15-14; Ord. No. 03-439, § 3(iii), 3-18-03. Code 2001 § 2-95.10.)

2.80.050 Officers – Staff – Operations.

(1) The independent salary commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its appointed voting members. Such officers shall hold office for two years. The independent salary commission may adopt bylaws for the efficient and fair conduct of its business, consistent with state law and city ordinance. The commission shall provide the city clerk with a copy of current bylaws which shall be maintained as part of the city’s official public records, and shall provide an updated copy to the city clerk whenever amendments are approved.

(2) The mayor shall appoint appropriate staff to assist the independent salary commission in preparing reports and records and performing other functions as may be necessary for the proper operation of the commission.

(3) The commission shall hold open public meetings and keep a written record of its proceedings which shall be a public record, all in accordance with state law.

(4) The independent salary commission shall meet in each even year to review existing salaries and adjust them if appropriate. This meeting shall occur no later than April 30th in any given year, and the commission shall review and, if it so determines, amend and file its schedule of salaries with the city clerk no later than May 31st. If necessary, the commission will also meet upon any other call by the chair, the mayor or by the majority vote of the city council.

(5) A majority of appointed voting members shall constitute a quorum, and the vote of that majority of appointed voting members shall be sufficient for the decision of all matters and the transaction of all business to be decided or transacted by the independent salary commission.

(6) Civility and decorum shall be observed by commission members and attendees and shall be enforced by the chair.

(Ord. No. 23-960, § 48, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 10-669, § 19, 9-21-10; Ord. No. 03-439, § 3(v), 3-18-03. Code 2001 § 2-95.12.)

2.80.060 Duties and responsibilities.

The independent salary commission shall have the following responsibilities:

(1) Study the relationship of salaries to the duties of the mayor and the city councilmembers and to establish a salary by either increasing or decreasing the existing salary for each position by an affirmative vote of not less than three members;

(2) Review and file its salary schedules not later than May 31st of every even year;

(3) Submit each salary schedule to the city clerk, who will publish the complete schedule two times, at least one week apart. The second publication date will be the official filing date. The schedule will become effective 30 days after this date.

(Ord. No. 23-960, § 49, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 03-439, § 3(vi), 3-18-03. Code 2001 § 2-95.13.)

2.80.070 Salary schedule – Effective date – Referendum.

(1) The commission’s established or amended salary schedule will become effective in the amounts, at the times, and under the conditions established in the schedule. Once filed, the schedule shall be incorporated into the city budget without further action of the city council or salary commission. Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to the mayor and all city councilmembers regardless of their terms of office. Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbents at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office. Existing salaries for the mayor and councilmembers established by city ordinance and/or city budget shall remain in effect unless and until changed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The terms and conditions of the commission’s adopted salary schedule will remain in effect until amended under the terms and conditions of a new salary schedule filed in accordance with this chapter.

(2) The commission’s adopted salary schedule 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 the official filing date 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.

(3) 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 state constitution or other laws generally applicable to referendum measures.

(Ord. No. 23-960, § 50, 6-20-23; Ord. No. 03-439, § 3(vii), 3-18-03. Code 2001 § 2-95.14.)