Submitted By
Cara Pavlicek, Village Manager
Reviewed By
LKS
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance amending Chapter 2 (“Administration”), Article 1 (“Officers and Employees Generally”), Section 2-1-6 (“Compensation of Elected Officers”) of the Village of Oak Park Village Code
End
Overview
Overview
Pursuant to the Village Board Goal Setting Session on July 19, 2015 and the request of Trustees Tucker and Salzman an ordinance has been prepared to increase the compensation for Village President and Trustees following the April 2017 elections. The last time the Village President and Board of Trustees compensation was increased was on October 7, 1996 for the 1997 election. The annual compensation for Village President is $10,800 and it is proposed to be $25,200. The annual compensation for Village Trustees is set at $7,200 and it is proposed to be $15,000. Should the Village Board approve the increase, it will only become effective for those individuals elected to office in April 2017 or thereafter.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approve the Ordinance.
Fiscal Impact
Subject to adoption of the ordinance, funds would be provided for in the FY17 General Fund budget.
Background
Pursuant to Section 3.1-50-5 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/3.1-50-5, all municipal officers shall receive the salary or other compensation that is fixed by ordinance and salaries or other compensation shall not be increased or diminished so as to take effect during the term of any officer holding elected office.
Staff has surveyed the compensation for Village President and Trustees in similar communities that operate under the Council-Manager form of government and the survey is attached. Also attached is an analysis of the compensation tied to Consumer Price Index and these combined reviews support the proposed recommendation to increase compensation.
Staff conservatively estimates that the minimum time commitment of the Village Board is six hours per week. Often, this is much higher on a weekly basis due to Committee meetings, specials events and community activities. In addition, weekly agenda materials are voluminous and time to review materials in advance of every weekly meeting is also required.
The last time the compensation for the Village President and Board of Trustees salaries were increased was on October 7, 1996 pursuant to Ordinance Number 1996-O-70. Ordinance 1996-O-70 raised the Village President’s salary from $9,600.00 per year to $10,800.00 per year and the Village Trustees’ salary from $4,800.00 per year to $7,200.00 beginning with the term of office after the election of April 1997 as codified in Section 2-1-6 of the Village Code. Ordinance 1996-O-70 also provided that the Village President and Trustees “shall also qualify for the same insurance benefits as regular full-time, non-union employees of the Village as approved in the annual budget.” The ordinance provides that beginning with the April 1993 terms of office, the premiums for the Village President and Trustees were paid in full by the Village. Beginning with the April 1997 terms office, the portion of the premiums paid by the Village for the Village President and Trustees were reduced to 75% of the cost. Ordinance 2002-O-53 further amended Section 2-1-6 of the Village Code by removing the payment for health insurance premiums for the Village President and Trustees by the Village beginning with the terms of office after the April 2003 election. Ordinance 2002-O-53 requires the health insurance premiums to be paid by the Village President and Trustees if they elect to participate in the Village health insurance plan. This ordinance was adopted on September 30, 2002.
Ordinances establishing compensation for elected officials must be adopted at least 180 days before the beginning of the terms of the officers whose compensation is to be fixed. The salaries of the Village President and Trustees who shall take office pursuant to the consolidated election to be held on April 4, 2017 shall be as set forth in this Ordinance and shall be applicable to such officers elected thereafter unless otherwise amended. In other words, current Village Trustees whose term of office continues through April 2019, will continue to be paid $7,200 per annum through their current term and would only receive a wage increase (subject to adoption of the ordinance) if elected to office following their current term.
Alternatives
The Village Board could amend the proposed compensation increase or reject the ordinance in its entirety.
Previous Board Action
The last time the compensation for the Village President and Board of Trustees salaries were increased was on October 7, 1996 pursuant to Ordinance Number 1996-O-70.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
N/A.