It’s been nearly two decades since Virginia Beach City Council members had raises, but the body may soon vote to change that.
The council could vote as soon as next week on salary adjustments based upon cost-of-living estimates since the last raise in 2006. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at City Hall. If adopted, raises would not take effect until July 2027.
Now, council members earn $28,000 per year and the mayor earns $30,000. The proposal could increase those annual salaries to about $48,500 for council and nearly $52,000 for the mayor.
Other communities in Hampton Roads have raised their pay since the state last year raised the ceiling on salaries and said it was okay to take inflation into consideration.
Councilmember David Hutcheson supports the raises. He said Monday that several members of the council, such as he, are retired. He wants “folks of all walks of life and different backgrounds” to afford to serve.
“I’m just looking out for what I feel would be the most healthy for the city and the overall thinking for the council, having the diversity of thought,” he said.
Hutcheson, a retired city fire chief, said a more diverse council could result from ensuring people who are working and providing for families can hold office.
The matter was discussed in August during a council retreat, and Hutcheson and Mayor Bobby Dyer disagreed.
At the time, Hutcheson said the council should “make the boat big enough for everybody to have a try.” Dyer asked to put the matter on the “back burner” given the economy, but others disagreed.
Not much has changed.
“Asking for a pay raise in this difficult economic environment is not something I can subscribe to,” Dyer, who is retired, said Monday.
The mayor said he wouldn't vote for a raise or accept it if the vote passed.
“I just think the timing is terrible,” he said.
Councilmember Cash Jackson-Green said adjusting salaries will encourage more people to seek and remain in office.
He said it is challenging meeting demands of day jobs and public office. Members of the working class need the pay.
“I think that we lose out on a lot of, well, thoughtful leaders who truly care about our economy, our community but can’t afford to run for office,” he said Monday.