Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 2-18-25
Title:
title
Consideration, discussion and possible direction from the City Council on the Compensation of members of the City Council
End
Background:
Members of the City Council currently serve without compensation. Oklahoma law provides that any change to provide for the compensation of City Council shall be fixed by ordinance. 11 O.S. § 10-111.
A majority vote of City Council may pass such an ordinance setting compensation for City Council. Alternatively, a majority vote by the people in a special election in favor of compensation for City Council may pass such an ordinance.
If such an ordinance is passed, the question is then when does each Councilor receive the compensation provided for in the ordinance setting compensation. The Oklahoma Constitution prohibits changing the compensation for an elected or appointed City Councilmember after their election or appointment. Okla. Const. art. 23, §10. Only those City Councilors elected or appointed after the ordinance is enacted may benefit from an increase so provided. Incumbent City Councilor’s may receive an increase in compensation upon their re-election to office.
A salary survey of cities in Oklahoma and other states in the region with a population of similar size is attached for Council review. This item provides Council the ability to discuss setting compensation for each of the members of Council as well as an opportunity to direct staff on how Council would like to proceed on this issue.
Cost: To be determined
Funding Source: To be determined
Requested By: Multiple Councilmembers & the City Manager’s Office
Approved By: Trevor Dennis, City Attorney
Attachments: Salary Benchmark Study for surrounding communities
Recommendation:
recommend
As directed by Council
end