City staff to take a look at raising pay for Iowa City City Council members

IOWA CITY - With council direction, Iowa City staff will explore an annual adjustment for council member wages and look into ways of increasing public awareness of the city's mayor selection process.

During Tuesday's work session, the council reviewed items discussed by the Iowa City Charter Review Commission while the committee drafted amendments to the city charter, but ultimately did not result in official amendment recommendations to the charter.

Matters discussed - listed in the eight-member commission's final report - included selection of mayor and council member compensation.

Following close to one hour of discussion, the council agreed to have staff look into the options of increased education and awareness prior to the mayor selection process, as well as explore an annual adjustment of council member pay.

Some members of the public argued in past public comment sessions that council member pay is too low, doesn't reflect the time it takes to be on the council and can discourage residents who make low wages from running for council.

The council agreed to have staff look into a means of annual adjustment to council member pay, as long as the change is not a major increase.

'I do feel strongly that it is not set so high that it becomes a career for people,” Council Member Susan Mims said. 'I don't fully agree with the argument that people of modest means can't afford to run for council.”

Council Member Jim Throgmorton argued that current council member pay, which is $7,500 a year, creates a barrier for low-income residents.

However, several members of the council said the biggest barrier comes down to the time commitment of being on the council, not the pay.

Another item debated by the charter review commission included the topic of mayor selection. Some members of the committee felt the current process, in which the council selects one member to be mayor, lacks transparency and public interaction.

Mayor Matt Hayek, who noted that a change either way would not impact him as he doesn't plan to run for another term this fall, noted that the mayoral position has a single vote, just as a member of the council.

'It is a position that votes, but is by and large a facilitative, diplomatic role within the council,” he said.

Throgmorton expressed interest in having the public directly elect mayor, but noted that he was in the minority.

'I do think we really ought to consider at least alternative ways of making the process more transparent, open and inclusive,” he said.

Members of the council expressed an interest in added public awareness prior to the public meeting in which the mayor is selected.

'I don't think that's a big ask to put that out and make people aware,” Council Member Rick Dobyns said. 'I think that keeps with what the charter review commission is asking.”

Later that evening, the council approved the second reading of changes to the city charter that include:

' Increasing the number of required signatures for initiatives or referendums from 2,500 - a number established in 1970 - to 3,600.

' Allowing eligible voters, or residents who are not registered to vote, to sign such initiatives or referendums.