Current compensation was set in 1954; new rate would be the same for mayor, councilors
By Morgan Rothborne, Rogue Valley Times
Measure 15-215 asks Ashland voters, “Shall compensation for positions of city of Ashland mayor and city councilors change to $900 monthly?”
It will be voted on in the Tuesday, May 16, election.
The Ashland city charter dictates an annual compensation of $500 for the mayor and $350 for city councilors. These amounts were adopted in 1954 and are paid once annually for services performed in the prior calendar year. The city charter requires any change in compensation for these positions to be approved by voters, according to the explanatory statement included with the measure.
The work of the mayor and city councilors includes preparing for and attending City Council meetings and advisory committee meetings, overseeing city operations, meeting with other elected or appointed government officials, representing the city in regional planning or other government processes, informing the local media on city issues, attending public events and undertaking other policy development or council liaison assignments, according to the statement.
“This proposed compensation amount is intended to enable any citizen of Ashland the opportunity to serve on the City Council without experiencing undue financial impact,” the statement said.
A “no” vote on the measure will retain the current compensation amounts.
Only one Voters’ Pamphlet argument was submitted for the measure, which was written by Cathy Shaw, former mayor of Ashland, along with former city councilors Mike Morris, Stephen Jensen, Rich Rosenthal and Stefani Seffinger.
“Good governance requires a significant time commitment. For an elected leader averaging 20 hours per week on city council-related business and meeting preparation, this stipend amounts to $10.38 per hour,” the argument said.
The argument made additional points that the compensation change would make elected office accessible for low-income Ashland residents who could not otherwise afford to volunteer their time. Making elected office more accessible aligns with the city’s equity and racial justice goals.
The stipend could also offset the cost of child care for councilors attending a large number of meetings in a given year, the argument said.
Reach reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected]. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
