Explanation
This ordinance amends the Management Compensation Plan by providing increases in salaries for the City Council Members, the City Auditor, and the City Attorney in 2006 and setting salaries for succeeding years. It is necessary to review and set the potential future salaries before the beginning of new terms of office in January 2006, because salaries for these positions cannot be increased during an elected official's term of office pursuant to the City Charter. These salaries, therefore, will take effect January 1, 2006.
The positions of City Auditor and City Attorney have historically been paid at a higher rate of pay than most of the mayor's cabinet. That circumstance reflected the considerable judgment and oversight responsibilities exercised by the auditor and attorney on behalf of Columbus citizens; the fact that each of those positions serve in an important and critical advisory capacity to cabinet officials and other elected officials; and the fact that as separately elected officials in their own right, the city auditor and city attorney are accountable to the citizens and not to the mayor as appointed officials. As recently as 1999 for example, there was an approximate $10,000 differential in pay between the city auditor and city attorney as compared to most of the mayor's department directors.
That relationship reversed itself with implementation of the Hay Study in 2000-an extensive review and analysis of the city's job classifications and responsibilities, including a market survey with comparable municipal and private entities. In general, the Hay Study concluded that cabinet level positions were significantly underpaid relative to the market, resulting in significant one-time upward adjustments in pay. The Hay Study, however, excluded the positions of city auditor and city attorney. Had each been included, and had each been adjusted upward in a similar fashion as implemented for department directors, the annual salary for city auditor and city attorney would now be approximately $145,000. Instead, each is approximately $19,000 less.
This ordinance partially restores the relative pay differential that existed historically in the City between the elected positions of city attorney and city auditor when compared to appointed department directors. A one-time upward adjustment is made with subsequent annual increases capped at 3%. As well, it establishes 3% annual pay increases for the positions of City Council member and City Council President.
Title
To amend Management Compensation Plan, Ordinance No. 2944-99, as amended, by providing increases in salaries to City Council Members, the City Council President, the City Auditor, and the City Attorney in 2006 and setting a wage scale for the succeeding three years; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Columbus dictates that salaries for all elected officials be established prior to the beginning of an official's respective term of office; and
WHEREAS, it is immediately necessary to amend Ordinance No. 2499-99, as amended, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That Sections 5(E)-C215, 5(E)-C220, 5(E)-C180, and 5(E)-C185 of Ordinance No. 2944-99, as amended, be amended as follows:
Ord. Class
Sec. Code Class Title Grade
5(E)-C215 0400 City Council Member (E) $36,252/yr.
(Eff. 1/1/06,
$36,977/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/07,
$37,717/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/08,
$38,848/yr.
Eff. 1/1/09,
$40,014/yr.)
5(E)-C220 0405 City Council President (E) $43,610/yr
(Eff. 1/1/06,
$44,482/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/07,
$45,372/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/08,
$46,733/yr.
Eff. 1/1/09,
$48,135/yr.)
5(E)-C180 0044 City Attorney (E) $126,110/yr.
(Eff. 1/1/06,
$138,000/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/07,
$142,140/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/08,
$146,404/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/09,
$150,796/yr.)
5(E)-C185 0043 City Auditor (E) $126,110/yr.
(Eff. 1/1/06,
$138,000/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/07,
$142,140/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/08,
$146,404/yr.;
Eff. 1/1/09,
$150,796/yr.)
Section 3. That the salaries as amended herein be effective with the beginning of the new term for those elected to the offices of City Council Member (E), City Council President (E), City Auditor (E), and City Attorney (E) beginning January 1, 2006.
Section 4. That existing Sections 5(E)-C215, 5(E)-C220, 5(E)-C180, and 5(E)-C185 of Ordinance No. 2944-99, as amended, are repealed with the effective date of the changes herein.
Section. 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in full force from and after approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.