Apache Junction council unanimously adopts pay increases for mayor and council
May 20, 2026 | Apache Junction, Pinal County, Arizona
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The Apache Junction City Council voted unanimously May 19 to adopt Ordinance 1575, a code amendment that raises salaries for the mayor, vice mayor and council members and includes an annual cost‑of‑living adjustment.
City staff introduced the ordinance during a public hearing, saying HR researched the proposed dollar amounts and that the ordinance updates Chapter 2 of the Apache Junction City Code on mayor and council compensation. After the hearing, the council voted to waive reading the full ordinance and then adopted it by roll call.
Residents who spoke during the public hearing expressed support for the increases. Resident Doug Coleman said the city’s last pay change was decades ago and recalled the difficulty of serving on low compensation, telling the council, “I can't live on $600 a month.” Another resident, Eric Andre Meek, said an increase could help attract more candidates and reimburse out‑of‑pocket expenses.
Council members and the mayor noted the long interval since the last adjustment and framed the change as updating pay to reflect current costs for those who serve the city in a public capacity. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Council Members Heck, Cross, Johnson, Nester and Solar, Vice Mayor Schrader and Mayor Chip Wilson; the tally was 7 yes, 0 no.
Ordinance 1575, as read into the record, amends the Apache Junction City Code, Chapter 2 (Mayor, Council and Appointed Boards and Commissions), Article 2‑1 (Council), including section 2‑1‑5 on compensation. Staff said the HR director calculated the proposed amounts and the ordinance implements those figures and an annual cost‑of‑living mechanism.
The ordinance takes effect according to the provisions specified in the adopted text. Council did not debate amendments on the council floor at the meeting and no recorded votes opposed the adoption.
The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote; there was no further action on compensation at this meeting.
City staff introduced the ordinance during a public hearing, saying HR researched the proposed dollar amounts and that the ordinance updates Chapter 2 of the Apache Junction City Code on mayor and council compensation. After the hearing, the council voted to waive reading the full ordinance and then adopted it by roll call.
Residents who spoke during the public hearing expressed support for the increases. Resident Doug Coleman said the city’s last pay change was decades ago and recalled the difficulty of serving on low compensation, telling the council, “I can't live on $600 a month.” Another resident, Eric Andre Meek, said an increase could help attract more candidates and reimburse out‑of‑pocket expenses.
Council members and the mayor noted the long interval since the last adjustment and framed the change as updating pay to reflect current costs for those who serve the city in a public capacity. The roll call recorded votes in favor from Council Members Heck, Cross, Johnson, Nester and Solar, Vice Mayor Schrader and Mayor Chip Wilson; the tally was 7 yes, 0 no.
Ordinance 1575, as read into the record, amends the Apache Junction City Code, Chapter 2 (Mayor, Council and Appointed Boards and Commissions), Article 2‑1 (Council), including section 2‑1‑5 on compensation. Staff said the HR director calculated the proposed amounts and the ordinance implements those figures and an annual cost‑of‑living mechanism.
The ordinance takes effect according to the provisions specified in the adopted text. Council did not debate amendments on the council floor at the meeting and no recorded votes opposed the adoption.
The council moved on to other agenda items after the vote; there was no further action on compensation at this meeting.
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