Rapid City’s elected officials are pausing on efforts to raise salaries for council members, mayors, and other elected positions for now.
In Rapid City, local council members make just over $13,000 yearly and the mayor makes just shy of $125,000. Under this new proposal, that would rise salaries to $20,000 and $145,000 respectively, and it would automatically adjust based on inflation.
The most recent increase for councilors was an increase of less than one percent in 2011.
Councilor Josh Beiberdorf advocated for the motion at the most recent Legal and Finance Committee meeting, moving to approve the proposal.
“I think right now we’re just directing the city attorney to prepare a resolution of elected officials," Beiberdorf said. "We’re not voting on what it is. I think it prudent to move forward with it so from there we can have a discussion.”
Those on the committee did not talk about the need for a pay increase. In 2018, state lawmakers tied their pay to the median household income. They argued a pay increase would lead to better candidates for office.
However, Rapid City Councilman Bill Evans spoke against the idea, saying the resolution hasn’t had enough time in the oven.
“It also recommends certain figures that we’re going to have to do and air out all this linen publicly rather than do it behind the scenes and come up with an appropriate resolution to vote on that won’t require hours of arguing here in front of the people," Evans said.
Further, Evans says there hasn’t been enough time to meaningfully analyze the proposal. The committee was unable to pass or set the proposal on the table. It is unclear if the motion will be revisited in future council meetings.