Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/WestRichland/html/WestRichland02/WestRichland0218.html
Timestamp: 2019-05-20 01:00:40
Document Index: 5062190

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1']

Chapter 2.18 SALARY COMMISSION
2.18.010 Commission created – Purpose.
2.18.030 Membership – Appointment.
2.18.040 Term of appointment.
2.18.060 Duties.
2.18.070 Commission meetings – Rules of procedure.
2.18.080 Referendum.
An independent salary commission is hereby created for the purpose of setting the salaries of the mayor and city council members of the city of West Richland. The official name of the commission shall be the West Richland salary commission. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
“Salary” or “salaries” means any fixed compensation paid periodically for work or services. This definition expressly excludes the total cost of any medical or other benefits provided to any council member, as well as any expenses paid or reimbursed on behalf of a council member in compliance with the city’s travel policy and procedures. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
The West Richland salary commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the mayor with confirmation by the city council. No member shall be an officer, official, or employee of the city of West Richland (“city”) nor shall any of his or her immediate family members be members of the salary commission. For purposes of this chapter, “immediate family member” means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official, or employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee. All members shall be residents of the city of West Richland. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
The regular term of office for a West Richland salary commission member shall be four years without compensation. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed and confirmed unless removed for cause pursuant to WRMC 2.18.050 or RCW 35.21.015, as now or hereafter amended. The initial members shall be appointed for staggered terms as follows:
A. Three members shall be appointed for a period of four years; and
B. Two members shall be appointed for two years.
All subsequent appointments or reappointments shall be for a four-year term. No member of the commission shall be appointed to more than two terms. Appointments may be made to complete an unexpired term in the event of a vacancy. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
The mayor may remove a member of the West Richland salary commission during the member’s term of office only for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
It is the goal of the salary commission to base salaries of elected officials on realistic standards so that the elected officials may be paid according to the duties of their offices and so that citizens of the highest quality may be attracted to public service. The salary commission shall have the duty, at such intervals as determined by the commission, to review the salaries paid by the city to each elected city official. If after such review the salary commission determines that the salary paid to any elected city official should be increased or decreased, the commission shall file a written salary schedule with the city clerk indicating the increase or decrease in salary. Salaries for city council members shall be uniform. Salary increases established by the salary commission shall be effective on the first pay period following the city’s biennial budget. Salary decreases established by the salary commission shall become effective as to incumbent city elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent term of office. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
The West Richland salary commission shall meet in the second year of the city’s biennial budget period during the months of August or September or as necessary to conduct the business entrusted to the commission by this chapter. The commission may establish its own rules of procedures consistent with the West Richland Municipal Code and state law, which shall include a meeting schedule. All meetings shall be governed by the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act. At least one of the meetings shall include a public hearing held prior to the salary commission issuing a decision regarding the establishment of salaries in order to provide an opportunity for the public and the affected public officials to address the salary commission.
In determining the salaries for elected officials, the salary commission shall solicit information regarding the elected official’s duties and responsibilities. Prior to the salary commission issuing a salary schedule, the commission may request additional financial information and other relevant data from the appointed staff. An appointed staff member or designee shall be responsible for providing staff support to the commission.
At least three members of the salary commission shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of three members shall be required to approve a salary schedule for the mayor and city council members, as well as other matters of the commission. The commission shall keep a written record of its proceedings, which shall be a public record in accordance with state law. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].
Salary increases and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the city in the same manner as a city ordinance upon filing of such petition with the city clerk within 30 days after filing of the salary schedule. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by the vote of the people. Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city at the next following general or municipal election occurring 30 days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the state constitution and general laws applicable to referendum measures. [Ord. 10-16 § 1, 2016].