Upping an Islamorada council member’s yearly pay could make its way onto the ballot in the November election.
Citing a need to attract more candidates, Councilman Mark Gregg said council members’ compensation of $1,000 per month hasn’t changed since the early 2000s. The idea received verbal support from the dais at a March 10 meeting, as well as several residents who regularly attend village meetings.
An ordinance with the specified pay raise would need council’s approval before it goes to the voters for a “yes” or “no” vote at the November general election. No increased dollar amount has been set yet by the dais.
If approved by voters, a pay raise would take effect once the new council is sworn in.
Gregg brought forth the matter during the discussion portion of the meeting inside Founders Park Community Center. In his comments, Gregg said the vast majority of village elections see individuals signing up to run who are “financially well off” and someone who “doesn’t necessarily have to work for a living.” By increasing pay, he said, it could eliminate concerns from those who want to run but can’t miss a day of work.
“It’s not going to be a lot of money. It may not cover that (financial concern). As you know from the time we spend, this is a part-time job. I don’t think I’ve made minimum wage, but that’s OK. I signed up because I like it, not because I did it for the money.
“It’s not so much to provide a financial incentive as it is to eliminate the economic disincentive that people face when they consider running for office,” Gregg continued.
A compensation table presented to the dais showed pay rates within Florida municipalities. Key West’s seven commissioners make $20,000 a year, while Marathon council members make $21,000 (with exception of one who makes $18,000 with $771.31 going to the Florida retirement system per month). Marco Island commissioners make just $6,000 a year, while Treasure Island commissioners get $5,400 a year. Ormond Beach commissioners receive $14,494.75 annually.
“I was surprised to learn they were lower than what I thought in most cases,” Gregg said. “If we decide this is something that we think should take place, it’s ultimately the decision of the voters. They get to make the call. That’s what I like about this the most.”
Resident Van Cadenhead said he believed the council deserved the pay raise.
“We’re paying $60,000 for five of you to sit there. If you were to top it out at $100,000, which means every one of you makes $20,000, I don’t think that’d be outrageous,” he said.
Councilman Buddy Pinder agreed with Gregg’s sentiments on attracting other village residents who want to run.
“We’re never going to attract younger people to do this. I’ve talked to lots of them. They can’t do it,” he said. “If I’m a fisherman, I can’t come in and give up one day a week to go to meetings or whatever. Others just can’t do it. They couldn’t put the time in.”
Mayor Pete Bacheler said he’s given up a lot to be a councilman in order to make “our town a better place to live.” Bacheler said $1,000 doesn’t go anywhere between inflation and what’s going on in the marketplace.
“You shouldn’t have to be a millionaire or almost a millionaire to sit on our council. I’m not even close to that and I’m enjoying it here,” he said.
Resident John Kocol said the council is dramatically underpaid. He said he was told by a former manager that it takes 20 hours per week to read all information presented to the council. A former councilman told him it takes 25 hours a week to do the job correctly.
“At current wage levels, that’s $9.23, which is less than minimum wage in the state of Florida,” he said. “In our current system, the only economic incentive to run for council is to protect and/or enhance economic interests in the person running. The majority of previous councilmen had economic interest in the village. Very few did not have to weigh conflicts of interest when discussing and voting on land use issues.”
Hypothetically, Kocol said if the council’s compensation package was $40,000 a year, it would be less than 0.5% of the village’s recurring revenue.
“If you look at that, considering a 25-hour work week, that $40,000 a year works out to be $31 an hour, which is less than a licensed plumber and electrician makes,” he said.
Village Manager Maria Bassett said Kocol’s suggestion of $40,000 is “very good.” Bassett advised against adding health benefits.
“I know the way our health plan is right now, we would not be able to add council members to it,” she said. “That may have some effect on our options for employees if we start including council members. An easier approach might be to just increase monthly compensation. If you purchase health insurance, hopefully you’re able to do that with that compensation.”
Councilman Dave Webb said if the objective is reaching a younger demographic, the pay must be more than $2,000 a month.
“Even a backcountry captain, they’re going to give up a couple days a week to do this with any diligence at all, it’s a huge income loss,” he said. “Do they (the public) want four old white men making decisions or would they like a broader demographic from the community age wise, female or male, or whatever else?”
Village council members directed staff to bring back an ordinance for a proposed pay increase at an upcoming meeting. As to the specific figure, council members want to hear more from the public before proposing a number.
“It’s to correct an issue that I think now has become critical in the village,” Gregg said. “I think if we had done this years ago, if someone on the council was a wage earner, a single mom or dad, we might not be in the pickle we are in now with affordable housing because there would have been a voice at the table to push that forward.”
An election in November will see five open seats with members’ two-year terms coming to an end. There’s a possibility that the council could completely flip or see partial turnover.
