The Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen and mayor are set to get a pay raise if a proposed ordinance increasing the city’s elected officials’ stipend is approved by the board.
Staff is currently recommending that the mayor’s stipend increases from $500 a month to $1,000, and that the aldermen’s stipend increase from $400 a month to $600. The fiscal impact would be an additional $25,200 in expenses per year once all officials are at the new rate, though it would not go into effect until April 2025 and April 2026 – once a new city official is elected or an incumbent is reelected – depending on the election “rotation.”
The board discussed the pay increase at its July 9 meeting. There has been no change to the stipends since the 1990s, and when comparing the rates to other nearby cities, Sunset Hills is behind all besides Kirkwood, where annually the mayor makes $3,600 and the aldermen make $2,400.
After the topic was introduced by City Administrator Brittany Gillett, Ward 2 Alderman Marie Davis made a motion to direct staff to draft an ordinance to bring before the board in August. Before anyone could second her motion, Ward 3 Alderman Cathy Friedmann took the floor to state her opposition.
“I think as we all know, I have been reticent about giving larger, significant raises to members of the staff and employees. I don’t feel like I could increase this. It’s not a big increase. I don’t think any of us are here for the money. Frankly, it pays for the printer ink that I use printing all the agendas and stuff. But for that reason, I would not vote in support,” she said.
Ward 4 Alderman Fred Daues spoke next, commending Friedmann for her consistency, though ultimately disagreeing.
“The problem I see in our city and our state and our country is we don’t have enough people that want to serve. And I’m not saying that this is a panacea to get more people to run and to serve, but I do think that we need to be competitive with other cities,” Daues said. “It gives further, I would say, respect to our office that at least we’re paying people what a similar job is being compensated in other cities. I think it would be good business for our city.”
Ward 1 Alderman Brian Fernandez suggested that when the ordinance is drafted that the mayor and aldermen be separated into two different distinctions as far as the increase. He also brought up that the stipend in Ellisville automatically increases every four years, a different method than any of the other surrounding municipalities.
“I think that’s another interesting concept as we think of this, just so it doesn’t appear that the elected officials are trying to do something for their specific benefit. Even though we all know that it doesn’t impact us, it’s the next time around,” Fernandez said.
Following the discussion, Ward 1 Alderman Ann McMunn seconded Davis’s earlier motion, giving staff direction to draft and bring an ordinance before the board in August. All besides Friedmann voted in favor, and the motion passed 7-1.
The board will meet next on Tuesday, Aug. 13.