At this week’s meeting, City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council will vote on Resolution 25-R-05, which proposes the creation of a Council Compensation Review Committee. This initiative is designed to review and recommend potential adjustments to the salaries and benefits of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Councilmembers before the next general election.
Why Is This Committee Being Established?
The last review of the Mayor and Council’s compensation was conducted by the Human Resources Department in May 2023. That review compared College Park’s elected official salaries with those of similarly sized municipalities and determined that an increase was warranted. However, at the time, the Council decided that any adjustments would only take effect for the next elected Council, ensuring that no sitting members would benefit from changes they approved.
As part of the 2023 discussion, the Council also identified several areas needing further evaluation, including:
- A more defined role for the Mayor Pro Tem.
- The inclusion of benefit packages, such as executive coaching and leadership development.
- A structured and regular review process to ensure elected officials receive fair and competitive compensation.
To address these needs, the new Compensation Review Committee will be tasked with providing independent recommendations every two years.
Responsibilities of the Compensation Review Committee
Under Resolution 25-R-05, the Compensation Review Committee will be responsible for:
- Evaluating potential salary adjustments for the Mayor and Council for the 2025-2026 term.
- Reviewing the role of the Mayor Pro Tem, ensuring the position has clearly defined duties and responsibilities.
- Assessing benefits packages for elected officials, including whether executive coaching and professional development programs should be offered.
Who Will Serve on the Committee?
The Compensation Review Committee will consist of six voting members, all appointed by the Mayor and Council:
- One member from each of the four city districts.
- One additional at-large member appointed by the Mayor.
- A chairperson selected from among the committee members.
To maintain transparency and accountability, the committee will:
- Adhere to the Maryland Open Meetings Act to ensure public access to discussions.
- Be assisted by a staff liaison from the City Manager’s office (who will not be a voting member).
- Conclude its work within approximately five months, at which point it will be dissolved unless an extension is required.
What Are the Financial Implications?
At this time, the fiscal impact of potential salary or benefits adjustments remains unknown. Once the committee completes its review, its recommendations will provide a clearer picture of what, if any, financial adjustments would be needed. The Council will then have the authority to approve, modify, or reject the recommendations before implementing any changes.
Next Steps
If Resolution 25-R-05 is approved, the City will begin appointing members to the Compensation Review Committee. Over the next several months, the committee will evaluate salaries, benefits, and the role of the Mayor Pro Tem before presenting its findings to the City Council for consideration.
This initiative represents a step toward ensuring fair compensation for public service, recognizing the responsibilities of elected officials while maintaining fiscal responsibility for taxpayers. The public will have opportunities to provide input during the process, and updates will be shared as the committee progresses.