Council votes 4‑3 to raise mayor and council salaries; new amounts take effect after November elections

The Melbourne City Council voted on Aug. 12 to raise mayoral and council salaries, approving a motion, by roll call, to set the mayor’s annual salary at $17,077.50 and council member pay at $12,333.75 effective after the November election.

Council members debated several approaches to setting compensation, including referencing the consumer price index (CPI), other municipal salary surveys and prior increases for general employees. After discussion the council adopted the figures tied to the general employee increase methodology, which produced the amounts above. The motion passed 4‑3 on a roll‑call vote: Council Member Smith, Council Member Bassett, Council Member Hanley and Vice Mayor Newman voted yes; Council Member LaRusso, Council Member Kennedy and Mayor Alfred voted no.

Council members said they considered time demands, meeting attendance and travel for regional boards when deciding to adjust pay. Some members argued for smaller or more frequent reviews; others said pay should more closely track local comparators. Implementation will occur following the next municipal election cycle, per the city’s code and existing schedule for council compensation changes.