Huber Heights councilman proposes 167 percent pay increase

Councilman Richard Shaw said the plan is meant to spark discussion.
Huber Heights officials will discuss a proposed pay raise for council members. WILL GARBE / STAFF

Huber Heights officials will discuss a proposed pay raise for council members. WILL GARBE / STAFF

The elected official behind a proposed 167 percent pay increase for Huber Heights city council says the proposal is a starting point for discussion at an upcoming work session.

Councilman Richard Shaw said the proposed pre-tax salary increase from $3,600 to $9,600 would encourage residents to become involved in city government and better compensate elected officials. He’s additionally floated raising the mayor’s annual salary from $7,454 to $13,200.

The proposal — not yet discussed among council, given a charter restriction on making salary changes in even-numbered years — has already drawn criticism from other members and social media users who argue the increase would be wasteful, costing the city at least another $53,000 each year.

“A 167 percent increase in salary is asinine for anybody,” said Councilwoman Janell Smith. “Nobody deserves that kind of increase in pay.”

But Shaw disagreed, noting a discussion on pay raises is long overdue.

"As the Dayton Daily News reported in 2012, Huber Heights hasn't seen a compensation increase in more than 20 years," Shaw said, adding he "knew going into this it would be a touchy subject."

“The biggest factor I’m looking at is not only how we compare to other cities, but this hasn’t been reviewed in over 20 years,” he said.

The 2015 annual base pay of a Dayton city commissioner is $38,064. The mayor’s annual base pay was $45,344. Census data show Huber Heights had an estimated 2015 population of 38,176, while Dayton had an estimated population of 140,599. For comparison, Dayton city commissioners earn $0.27 per resident, while Huber Heights city council members earn $0.09 per resident.

Shaw proposes the increase should be considered as an ordinance with no fewer than 3 readings “to allow ample discussion and community input.”

The matter is scheduled for discussion at the city’s Jan. 3 6 p.m. work session at 6131 Taylorsville Rd.

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