LANGLEY CITY COUNCIL: Council ponders possible increase in stipends [AUDIO] (SWR)

Kira Erickson reports for the South Whidbey Record from the Langley City Council meeting of Feb. 6, 2023.

Members of the Langley City Council are hoping to receive more fitting compensation for their roles.

During a city council meeting this week, the council agreed that Langley’s citizen-led Finance and Personnel Commission should take a closer look at the wages the Langley City Council receives, in comparison to other cities. The suggestion was brought up by Councilmember Gail Fleming.

Currently, council members receive $50 per month. If an increase were approved by the council, the changes would not take effect for the current council members who voted on it.

They Said It

“I definitely feel like the council could use more money for the amount of time that we put in doing city business,” Councilmember Harolynne Bobis said. “I also know the city is not awash in money, but I don’t want that to be the deciding factor.”

Councilmember Thomas Gill pointed to the lengthiness and frequency of meetings as a reason to pay the council more. He suggested considering a smaller stipend for meetings of other entities that a council member might attend, such as Island Transit.

“If it’s a barrier to younger parents, it would be very helpful for them to at least be able to pay for their sitting and they couldn’t possibly do that now with $50 a month, given that we meet sometimes two and even three times a month,” Councilmember Craig Cyr said.

Finance Director Wanda Grone pointed out that Port of South Whidbey commissioners receive a $100 stipend each month. Port commissioners meet regularly once a month.

“It discourages people from running for office,” she said about the low compensation for Langley’s council members.