LEWISTON — Annual stipends for elected officials will see a significant increase next year, but it marks the first significant update in three decades.
Last week, the City Council voted to increase the annual compensation for elected officials, a change that by city charter will not go into effect until the next slate of officials is inaugurated in January 2022.
The mayor’s annual stipend will increase from $4,500 to $7,000, while city councilors will see an increase from $2,700 to $4,000 and the School Committee will go from $1,200 to $4,000.
The changes were recommended by the Charter Review Committee as part of its work earlier this year to propose amendments to the city charter — nine of which will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.
According to former longtime city administrator Ed Barrett, who chaired the committee, the last adjustment to stipends for members of the City Council and School Committee was in 1990. A small adjustment to the mayor’s salary was made about a decade ago, he said.
In a memo to the council, he said, “While the committee believes that service as an elected official in Lewiston is largely volunteer in nature, it also recognizes that the commitments of holding office are considerable and, in some areas, increasing, and that those elected to office should be provided some offsetting compensation to recognize the time and effort devoted to these positions.”
As part of the update, City Administrator Heather Hunter also recommended stipend increases for members of the Planning Board, Board of Appeals and Finance Committee. The Planning Board stipend will double, from $600 to $1,200; the Board of Appeals will receive $600, and the Finance Committee will go from $480 to $1,200.
The charter stipulates that changes are set by the City Council, with any changes not taking effect until after the following election and inauguration of new officials.
The Charter Review Committee recommended raising the city councilor stipend to $3,500, but prior to the first reading on the increases, Councilor Lee Clement proposed the $4,000 figure. He argued that “given today’s competition for all things,” and today’s costs, the increased stipend would still only “cover one’s expenses while fulfilling a term.”
“You’re not making money in these positions at all,” he said.
During the same meeting, Councilor Alicia Rea said she has juggled a full-time job, school and her duties as an elected official.
“It’s a lot to juggle, so if this can make it so these people can focus on what’s best for Lewiston, then I’m all in favor of that,” she said.
Clement is running unopposed for reelection. Rea is not seeking reelection.
Mayor Mark Cayer agreed, stating the city needed to “at least try to cover the cost” of serving in elected seats. He also said that “in today’s age,” it’s not easy to be an elected official, with increasing hostility directed toward officials even on the local level.
Barrett said the committee reviewed salaries offered in other communities. The updated figures in Lewiston will more closely mirror those in Westbrook, South Portland and Brunswick.
In Westbrook and South Portland, councilors receive a stipend of $3,000. The Westbrook mayor is paid $6,500.
In Brunswick, the council chair receives $5,000, while the vice chair gets $4,500 and remaining councilors receive $4,000.
In Portland, councilors are paid $6,811, plus health insurance, while the mayor is paid a salary of $78,000.
In Auburn, the mayor receives a $4,000 stipend, while councilors receive $1,800. In Augusta, the mayor receives $3,000, with councilors receiving $2,400.
Barrett said the review committee discussed updating the charter to include language that would automatically increase compensation over time, but the committee ultimately decided against it. It will remain up to future charter review committees to recommend updates, with the City Council deciding.
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