A. There is created a salary commission for the city. The commission shall be governed by Chapter 2.01 BIMC.

B. A member of the commission shall serve until either: the commission completes its salary review and files a salary schedule with the city clerk; or the commission issues a final determination that no salary adjustment is appropriate.

C. Beginning in 2020, a salary commission shall be appointed and shall begin a new salary review as provided herein. Every seven years thereafter, a new salary commission shall be appointed to perform a new salary review in accordance with this chapter.

D. No member of the commission shall be appointed to more than two terms.

E. A member of the commission shall not be an officer, official, or employee of the city or an immediate family member of an officer, official, or employee of the city. For purposes of this section, “immediate family member” means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of an officer, official, or employee of the city, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee. (Ord. 2025-22 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2021-16 § 14, 2021; Ord. 2020-27 §§ 1, 2, 2020; Ord. 2019-23 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)

In the event of a vacancy on the commission, the mayor shall appoint, subject to approval of the city council, a person to serve the unexpired portion of the term of the vacant position. (Ord. 2025-22 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2019-23 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)

A member of the commission shall only be removed from office for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office, or for a disqualifying change of residence. (Ord. 2025-22 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2019-23 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)

A. Beginning in 2020, and every seven years thereafter, the commission shall have the duty to review the salaries paid by the city to each elected city official. The commission shall complete its review within 120 days of the first meeting of the commission. The city council may approve a request from the commission for an extension of the 120-day review period.

B. If after such review the 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.

C. Any increase or decrease in salary established by the commission shall become effective and incorporated into the city budget without further action of the city council or the commission.

D. Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city elected officials, regardless of their terms of office.

E. Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent city elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office.

F. If after review the commission determines that the salary paid to any elected city official should not be increased or decreased, then the commission shall file a written determination with the city clerk indicating that no salary adjustment is appropriate. (Ord. 2025-22 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2020-27 § 3, 2020; Ord. 2019-23 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)

Any salary increase or decrease established by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to referendum petition by the voters of the city, in the same manner as a city ordinance, upon filing of a referendum petition with the city clerk within 30 days after filing of a salary schedule by the commission. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by a 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 otherwise be governed by the provisions of the State Constitution and the laws generally applicable to referendum measures. (Ord. 2025-22 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2019-23 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)

A. The committee may meet as necessary during the 120-day review period described in BIMC 2.74.040.A, but shall establish a regular meeting schedule and announce the specific day and time each month that the committee will conduct its regular meetings during the review period. Meetings shall be open to the public and held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (Chapter 42.30 RCW).

B. Beginning in 2020, and every seven years thereafter that a new commission is appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council, the commission, at its first regular meeting, shall select from among its members a chairperson and a secretary. (Ord. 2025-22 § 1, 2025; Ord. 2020-27 § 4, 2020; Ord. 2019-23 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)