Chapter 2.42
INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Sections:
2.42.010 Establishment—Purpose.
2.42.070 Effective date—Salaries.
2.42.010 Establishment—Purpose.
There is created the independent salary commission for the city, the purpose of which is to independently establish the salaries of the elected officers of the city pursuant to RCW 35.21.015. (Ord. 1360 § 1 (part), 2012).
2.42.020 Commissioners.
(a) Eligibility. The independent salary commission shall consist of five commissioners, all of whom shall be residents of the city, and none of whom may be an officer, official, or employee of the city or any of their parents, spouses, siblings, children, or dependent relatives, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.
(b) Appointment—Terms. Commissioners shall be appointed by the mayor, with approval by the council. A commissioner’s term shall be four years, beginning on the first day of January of the respective term.
(c) Initial Appointment and Terms. With the establishment of the independent salary commission, two commissioners shall be appointed for four-year terms, two commissioners shall be appointed for three-year terms, and one commissioner member shall be appointed for a two-year term.
(d) Maximum Terms. No commissioner may serve more than two consecutive terms as a commissioner.
(e) Compensation. A commissioner shall receive no compensation for performing as a commissioner. (Ord. 1360 § 1 (part), 2012).
2.42.030 Filling vacancies.
Within sixty days of a vacancy of any term of a commissioner, the mayor, with confirmation by the city council, shall appoint a commissioner for the unexpired portion of the term. (Ord. 1360 § 1 (part), 2012).
2.42.040 Removal.
A commissioner may only be removed during their respective term of office for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence. (Ord. 1360 § 1 (part), 2012).
2.42.050 Officers.
The independent salary commission shall organize by electing from the commissioners a presiding officer and a secretary. The presiding officer shall preside over all meetings of the independent salary commission and the secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and of all proceedings of the independent salary commission, and shall file them with the finance officer. (Ord. 1360 § 1 (part), 2012).
2.42.060 Meetings—Action.
The independent salary commission shall devote such time as may be necessary to discharge the duties devolving upon it, based upon the intent and authority of RCW 35.21.015, but shall meet at least one time each calendar year. A meeting of the independent salary commission may be convened at the request of two commissioners. A majority of the independent salary commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and three affirmative votes shall be necessary to carry any proposition. (Ord. 1360 § 1 (part), 2012).
2.42.070 Effective date—Salaries.
If the commission determines that the salary paid to any elected city official should be increased or decreased, the commission shall file a written salary schedule with the city clerk indicating the increase or decrease in salary. Any increase or decrease in salary established by the commission shall become effective and incorporated into the city budget without further action of the city council or the commission. Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city-elected officials, regardless of their terms of office. 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. (Ord. 1403 § 1 (part), 2014).
2.42.080 Referendum.
Any salary increase or decrease established by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to referendum petition by the voters of the city, in the same manner as a city ordinance, upon filing of a referendum petition with the city clerk within thirty days after filing of a salary schedule by the commission. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by a vote of the people. Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city at the next following general or municipal election occurring thirty days or more after the petition is filed, and shall otherwise be governed by the provisions of the State Constitution and the laws generally applicable to referendum measures. (Ord. 1403 § 1 (part), 2014).