A. The independent salary commission shall elect a chair and vice chair from among its voting members. Other than for those members initially appointed for a one-year term, such officers shall hold office for two years. The independent salary commission may from time to time establish and publish rules of procedure for the efficient and fair conduct of its business, consistent with state law and city ordinance.

B. The mayor shall appoint appropriate staff to assist the independent salary commission in preparation of its reports and records, and conducting its meetings, as may be necessary for the proper operation of the commission.

C. The meetings of the independent salary commission shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act pursuant to Chapter 42.30 RCW, and audio recordings shall be made of all meetings.

D. The independent salary commission, with the assistance of appointed staff, shall keep a written record of its proceedings, which shall be a public record all in accordance with state law.

E. The independent salary commission shall have the authority to raise and lower salaries of the city council and the mayor. A city council or mayoral salary increase or decrease shall occur only if three members of the commission vote in favor of the increase or decrease. Three members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and the votes of such quorum shall be sufficient for the decision of all matters and the transaction of all business to be decided or transacted by the independent salary commission.

F. The independent salary commission shall meet at least once each year to consider whether or not to review and/or adjust existing salaries for the city council and the mayor. The initial meeting of the independent salary commission shall take place within 30 days after the initial members of the independent salary commission have been appointed and confirmed. Thereafter, the initial annual meeting of the independent salary commission shall occur no later than April 30th, in any given year.

G. Prior to a vote of the independent salary commission to raise or lower salaries, residents of the city shall have an opportunity to comment or submit comments in writing. An opportunity for comments shall be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the procedure used at regularly scheduled meetings of the city council for public comment.

H. Prior to a vote of the independent salary commission to raise or lower salaries, the commission may request, from the mayor or designee, additional financial information and other relevant data, other than that information provided in subsection I of this section, including but not limited to information related to the various duties, assignments, responsibilities, obligations and meetings of city council members.

I. The mayor or designee shall provide the independent salary commission with, and the commission shall consider, information regarding salaries paid to members of city councils and mayors from comparable cities. Such comparable cities shall be comprised of cities having a population of at least 25,000 and located in King, Pierce or Snohomish County, and, for the purposes of the mayor, comparable cities shall be cities organized and operating under the mayor-council plan of government, pursuant to Chapter 35A.12 RCW or RCW Title 35.

J. In its meeting(s), the independent salary commission shall review and, if it so determines, amend and file its schedule of salaries for the city council and the mayor no later than May 31st of each year. If necessary, the independent salary commission will also meet upon any other call by the chair or the mayor or by the majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 6906 § 2 (Exh. B), 2023; Ord. 6681 § 1, 2018; Ord. 6504 § 1, 2014.)