Gainesville city commissioners OK first of two needed votes to increase own salaries

Gainesville city commissioners are set to soon receive a raise almost double their current salary, despite opposition from a small group of frequent critics.

In the first of two votes, city officials voted 4-1 Thursday to approve a significant pay increase among themselves that will raise their salaries from $37,000 to about $71,000 in October 2023. The mayor, who earns more for greater responsibilities, would also see an increase of about $40,000, going from $47,200 to $88,700.

“The city … and county commission are both listed as part-time jobs, but in reality, they are not,” said Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut. “As the commission prepares to move to more subcommittees … the workload will increase. Our workload is no less than county commissioners.”

Commissioner Desmond Duncan-Walker, the only dissenting vote Thursday despite previously supporting the initiative. Commissioners Harvey Ward, who previously voted against the move, and Reina Scott were absent.

Duncan-Walker asked for the issue to be postponed until a new commission is sworn in January, though the new body would be voting on their own salary. As it stands now, three commissioners are leaving office and would not be affected by the change.

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Making the argument

Commissioners in favor of the proposal pointed to a state formula that determines salaries for Alachua County commissioners, who receive roughly $89,700 annually. Those pushing for the pay bump say they hope the change attracts more qualified candidates to run for office in the future, though that sentiment was rejected by at least one citizen.

“I think that’s totally unsound reasoning,” said Gainesville resident Jo Beaty. “You have had many many well-qualified candidates with good backgrounds that were willing to do public service, not a job, and serve the public for what you’re getting paid now.”

Resident Debbie Martinez argued that officials should hold off on the raises because it isn't an urgent issue.

“We’re having a new commission starting next month,” she said. “We’re not in the middle of a pandemic where we got to get this thing done, like a vaccine or something. It wouldn’t kill anybody to wait till the new commission comes on.”

Other citizens argued that commission raises were unwarranted, citing much larger cities like Jacksonville, where commissioners are paid less.

City commissioners’ current salaries inch near the poverty line (for a family of four) of $33,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the short term, salaries will be automatically bumped up to almost $40,400 and the mayor will see an increase to $51,400, per ordinance on Jan. 9, 2023.

In 2019, the city’s Charter Review Commissioner floated the idea of raising Gainesville commissioners’ pay to a state formula similar to the County Commission. The plan could have gone on the ballot for voters to decide but is within the power of the commission already to do so.

Still, some residents argued that by not allowing citizens to vote on the issue, signals leery motives on the part of commissioners.

“If you’re going to do something as outrageous as wanting to double your salary, put it out to the voters,” Martinez said.

Beaty added that following the pay hike, the commissioner will earn more than the median income family in Gainesville, which was $38,028 in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

But commissioners, who have pushed for higher liveable wages for thousands of employees argued that the elected leaders make one of the lowest salaries in the city while having one the greatest responsibilities.

“I have advocated for wage increases for the lowest organization up to our charter officers, and now, here at the last, I would like to offer what I think is just compensation for the people who take this seat after me,” said Commissioner David Arreola. “I hope that’s fair enough.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville city leaders OK 1st vote to nearly double own salaries