Marina Blatt reports from the Oak Harbor City Council meeting of Tue., Feb. 17, 2026 for the Whidbey News-Times. Read the whole story.
Summary by Perplexity AI
Oak Harbor’s Salary Commission approved a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for Mayor Ronnie Wright and city council members, effective this month. The mayor’s monthly pay rises from $11,250 to $11,531.25 ($138,375 annually), while council members’ pay increases from $1,200 to $1,230 per month ($14,760 annually). The raises were reported to the council as a formality; no vote was required. Two years ago, council members questioned the process after the mayor-appointed commission gave Wright a major salary jump from $60,000 to $135,000 annually. A former council member previously suggested abolishing the commission due to concerns about accountability and potential nepotism.
They Said It
Councilmember Bryan Stucky humbly accepted his raise.
“I always squirm when this topic comes up,” he said. “I’m glad to see it at the percent as opposed to a large raise.”
Stucky noted that if there is strong opposition from community members, he will “happily return the raise back to the city,” he said.
Councilmember Barbara Armes added that she has already been saving the city money. She has never taken any benefits since she has been on the council, she said.
Before retiring in December, Jim Woessner, a former council member, argued that the council should reconsider having a Salary Commission since the process puts budget decisions into the hands of people who are not elected and risks nepotism when elected officials’ friends or acquaintances are appointed.
