Translate[Archived] Question # 51: What is the scope of the mayoral and city council member positions being transitioned from part time positions to full time positions?
Question:
What is the scope of the mayoral and city council member positions being transitioned from part time positions to full time positions? Would you please give reference to adjacent jurisdictions that are full time positions for elected officials along with the cost of benefits in addition to salary, and what Alexandria would propose comparable? (Councilwoman Jackson)
Response:
In responding to this budget question, staff has collected comparison data from the following comparator jurisdictions: Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, and Montgomery County. The table below provides information on a jurisdiction’s population, size of the governing body, Member and Chair/Mayor salaries, planned salary increases, as well as whether governing body members are considered part-time or full-time.
Since Councilmembers are already eligible to receive health insurance, City supplemental retirement, group life insurance, and long-term disability benefits and would not become eligible for any additional benefits as a result of conversion to full-time, the primary impact of the conversion would be the salary increase and the associated cost increase in existing benefits. Every $10,000 of salary increase would cost approximately $11,160 per member or $78,120 for the entire City Council including the increase in social security taxes and existing benefit costs. Additionally, the conversion to full-time would make City Council members eligible for paid time off and holiday pay.