OCEAN CITY – With little discussion, resort officials last week approved an ordinance on second reading what will substantially increase the annual salaries for the mayor and councilmembers.
Late last year, it was brought up the salaries of the town’s elected officials should be increased, or the pay hike should at least be explored. At the time, councilmembers earned $10,000 per year, while the mayor’s annual salary was $30,000. The salaries of the town’s elected officials had not been increased since 1989.
The catalyst for the proposed increase was a belief in the increased workload for the Mayor and Council coupled with the assumption the enhanced salaries could attract more candidates for the town’s elected positions. For example, just four candidates vied for three open council seats and the mayor ran unopposed during the municipal election this fall.
The sitting council when the issue was largely discussed earlier this year decided the proposed salary increases should be put before the voters during the Nov. 8 municipal election in the form of ballot questions and not simply decided by themselves through the ordinance process.
For the mayor’s position, the proposed salary would increase from the current $30,000 per year to $50,000 per year, representing a roughly 67% increase. The councilperson salary would increase from the current $10,000 to $20,000, representing an increase of 100%, while the council president’s salary would be set at $23,000 because of the added time commitment and responsibilities.
They should run in Salisbury. We have the best paid Mayor around.
Nothing says up yours, taxpayers, like doubling your salary. Give me a break, for cryin’ out loud
must be LOTS of money available given all the cancellations that took place 2022.
NOT.