Salary Commission

About the Commission

The Salary Commission, as authorized by City Ordinance 1246, is a three-member commission that meets every four years, commencing in 2024, to review and determine the salaries and benefits paid by the city to the mayor and city council. The salary commission will determine the salaries and benefits paid to the mayor and the city council within 60 days of confirmation by the city council. The 60-day review and determination time may be extended upon request of the salary commission and approval by the city council.

The meetings are held in the same location as city council regular meetings. The salary commission will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the salaries and benefits of the mayor and city council prior to taking a final vote on salaries and benefits.

The Commission reviews and discusses current compensation information such as salary, wages, health insurance, allowances, benefits, and other forms of remuneration commonly received in return for services from other comparator cities of similar population size and forms of government as Lake Forest Park throughout King, Snohomish, Pierce Thurston, and Kitsap counties, for example.

After determining the salaries and benefits of the mayor and the city council, the salary commission will file any change in salaries and benefits with the city clerk on or before the second week in September; provided, however, in 2022 any changes in salaries and benefits shall be filed with the city clerk within 60 days of the salary commission being confirmed.

Meeting information is available here.

Please reach out to Human Resources Director Shannon Moore for more information.