(Posted July 5, 2019)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
West Jefferson village council approved pay raises for the positions of mayor, council member, and planning and zoning commission member. Some of the increases will take effect Jan. 1, 2020. Others will take effect in 2021.
This marks the first pay increase for council members since 2003 and the first pay increase for the mayor’s position and planning and zoning positions since 2007.
“It’s time to raise the rates,” said Jen Warner, council vice president. “We’re busier, the mayor’s busier, and planning and zoning is busier, too.”
The mayor’s annual salary is increasing from $14,000 to $18,500. The mayor also will receive $1,500 a year for filling the dual role of public safety director. Currently, the mayor is not paid for this work.
Council members will receive $175 per meeting, a $50 increase. The council president and vice president will earn $225 and $200, respectively, a $25 increase per meeting for each.
The per-meeting rate for planning and zoning commission officers is going up $25. The new rates are $125 for the chairman and $75 each for the vice chairman and secretary. Regular commission members will earn $65 per meeting, a $15 increase.
Ohio law does not permit standing elected officials to vote on pay increases for themselves. All increases must go into effect after the next election.
West Jefferson’s mayor’s seat and at-large council seats are up for election this November. Raises for those positions, as well as the planning and zoning commission (which are not elected positions), will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. West Jefferson’s ward council seats are up for election in 2020. Raises for those positions will go into effect Jan. 1, 2021.
