2004 Salary Commission I
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,;0OValley 11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 ♦ Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.688-0053 ♦ Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhall@spokanevalley.org
SALARY COMMISSION
June 30, 2004
City Council Chambers
Agenda
1. Convene Meeting
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
3. Public Comment
4. Review and Approval of June 16, 2004 Meeting Summary
5. Review and Discussion of Comparison Data and Data from Council Members
a. RCW 35A -Powers and Duties of Mayor, Deputy Mayor,
Councilmembers
b. Table of Comparable Information
c. Background Information on the City of Vancouver's Salary Commission
d. Survey Responses from the Mayor and Council Members
6. Public Comment
7. Good of the Order
8. Adjourn
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Spol~ane
Valley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 ♦ Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.688-0053 4 Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhalt@spokanevalley.org
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Opportunity Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.
June 16, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Rod Grondel
Commission Members Absent: Dave Gregory
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m.
The Commission decided to defer election of a Chair and Vice Chair until the next
meeting, when all members would be present. They reviewed Ordinance 04-018, which
established the Commission.
After reviewing the 2003 Mayor and Council salary data compiled by the Association of
Washington Cities, the Commission decided to seek comparable information from the
following cities: Vancouver; Bellevue; Federal Way; Yakima; Lakewood; Kennewick;
Shoreline; Kirkland; Olympia; and Richland.
These cities are the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley. Like Spokane Valley,
they operate under a Council-Manager form of government. The cities range in
population from 150,700 to 41,650.
The Commission also identified information they will seek from the Spokane Valley City
Council, to help compare their responsibilities to those of the other ten cities. Per
Ordinance 04-018, that request will be made in writing.
The Commission decided to schedule public comment at the beginning and the end of
each meeting. There was no general public present at the June 16 meeting.
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Opportunity
Conference Room of Spokane Valley City Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR, DEPUTY MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS:
RCW 35A.13.020
Election of councilmen Eligibility Terms Vacancies Forfeiture of office Council
chairman.
In council-manager code cities, eligibility for election to the council, the manner of electing
councilmen, the numbering of council positions, the terms of councilmen, the occurrence and the
filling of vacancies, the grounds for forfeiture of office, and appointment of a mayor pro tempore
or deputy mayor or councilman pro tempore shall be governed by the corresponding provisions
of RCW 35A.12.030, 35A.12.040, 35A.12.050, 35A.12.060, and 35A.12.065 relating to the
council of a code city organized under the mayor-council plan, except that in council-manager
cities where all council positions are at-large positions, the city council may, pursuant to RCW
35A.13.033, provide that the person elected to council position one shall be the council chairman
and shall carry out the duties prescribed by RCW 35A.13.030.
RCW 35A.13.030
Mayor Election Chairman to be mayor Duties.
Biennially at the first meeting of the new council the members thereof shall choose a chairman
from among their number unless the chairman is elected pursuant to RCW 35A.13.033. The
chairman of the council shall have the title of mayor and shall preside at meetings of the council.
In addition to the powers conferred upon him as mayor, he shall continue to have all the rights,
privileges, and immunities of a member of the council. The mayor shall be recognized as the
head of the city for ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law. He
shall have no regular administrative duties, but in time of public danger or emergency, if so
authorized by ordinance, shall take command of the police, maintain law, and enforce
order.
RCW 35A.13.035
Mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor.
Biennially at the first meeting of a new council, or periodically, the members thereof, by
majority vote, may designate one of their number as mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor for
such period as the council may specify, to serve in the absence or temporary disability of the
mayor; or, in lieu thereof, the council may, as the need may arise, appoint any qualified person to
serve as mayor pro tempore in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor. In the event of
the extended excused absence or disability of a councilman, the remaining members by majority
vote may appoint a councilman pro tempore to serve during the absence or disability.
RCW 35A.13.230
Powers of council.
The council of any code city organized under the council-manager plan provided in this chapter
shall have the powers and authority granted to legislative bodies of cities governed by this title as
more particularly described in chapter 35A.I I RCW, except insofar as such power and authority
is vested in the city manager.
Chapter 35A.11 RCW
LAWS GOVERNING NONCHARTER CODE CITIES AND CHARTER CODE CITIES -
- POWERS
RCW 35A.11.010
Rights, powers and privileges.
Each city governed under this optional municipal code, whether charter or noncharter, shall be
entitled "City of (naming it), and by such name shall have perpetual succession; may sue
and be sued in all courts and proceedings; use a corporate seal approved by its legislative body;
and, by and through its legislative body, such municipality may contract and be contracted with;
may purchase, lease, receive, or otherwise acquire real and personal property of every kind, and
use, enjoy, hold, lease, control, convey or otherwise dispose of it for the common benefit.
RCW 35A.11.020
Powers vested in legislative bodies of noncharter and charter code cities.
The legislative body of each code city shall have power to organize and regulate its internal
affairs within the provisions of this title and its charter, if any; and to define the functions,
powers, and duties of its officers and employees; within the limitations imposed by vested rights,
to fix the compensation and working conditions of such officers and employees and establish and
maintain civil service, or merit systems, retirement and pension systems not in conflict with the
provisions of this title or of existing charter provisions until changed by the people: PROVIDED,
That nothing in this section or in this title shall permit any city, whether a code city or otherwise,
to enact any provisions establishing or respecting a merit system or system of civil service for
firemen and policemen which does not substantially accomplish the same purpose as provided by
general law in chapter 41.08 RCW for firemen and chapter 41.12 RCW for policemen now or as
hereafter amended, or enact any provision establishing or respecting a pension or retirement
system for firemen or policemen which provides different pensions or retirement benefits than
are provided by general law for such classes.
Such body may adopt and enforce ordinances of all kinds relating to and regulating its local or
municipal affairs and appropriate to the good government of the city, and may impose penalties
of fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year,
or both, for the violation of such ordinances, constituting a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor
as provided therein. However, the punishment for any criminal ordinance shall be the same as
the punishment provided in state law for the same crime. Such a body alternatively may provide
that violation of such ordinances constitutes a civil violation subject to monetary penalty, but no
act which is a state crime may be made a civil violation.
The legislative body of each code city shall have all powers possible for a city or town to have
under the Constitution of this state, and not specifically denied to code cities by law. By way of
illustration and not in limitation, such powers may be exercised in regard to the acquisition, sale,
ownership, improvement, maintenance, protection, restoration, regulation, use, leasing,
disposition, vacation, abandonment or beautification of public ways, real property of all kinds,
waterways, structures, or any other improvement or use of real or personal property, in regard to
all aspects of collective bargaining as provided for and subject to the provisions of chapter 41.56
RCW, as now or hereafter amended, and in the rendering of local social, cultural, recreational,
educational, governmental, or corporate services, including operating and supplying of utilities
and municipal services commonly or conveniently rendered by cities or towns.
In addition and not in limitation, the legislative body of each code city shall have any authority
ever given to any class of municipality or to all municipalities of this state before or after the
enactment of this title, such authority to be exercised in the manner provided, if any, by the
granting statute, when not in conflict with this title. Within constitutional limitations, legislative
bodies of code cities shall have within their territorial limits all powers of taxation for local
purposes except those which are expressly preempted by the state as provided in RCW
66.08.120, 82.36.440, 48.14.020, and 48.14.080.
RCW 35A.11.030
Applicability of general law.
Powers of eminent domain, borrowing, taxation, and the granting of franchises may be exercised
by the legislative bodies of code cities in the manner provided in this title or by the general law
of the state where not inconsistent with this title; and the duties to be performed and the
procedure to be followed by such cities in regard to the keeping of accounts and records, official
bonds, health and safety and other matters not specifically provided for in this title, shall be
governed by the general law. For the purposes of this title, "the general law" means any
provision of state law, not inconsistent with this title, enacted before or after the passage of this
title which is by its terms applicable or available to all cities or towns.
RCW 35A.11.040
Intergovernmental cooperation and action.
The legislative body of a code city may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions
including purchasing, and participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, as
provided for in chapter 39.34 RCW. The legislative body of a code city shall have power to
accept any gift or grant for any public purpose and may carry out any conditions of such gift or
grant when not in conflict with state or federal law.
RCW 35A.11.050
Statement of purpose and policy.
The general grant of municipal power conferred by this chapter and this title on legislative
bodies of noncharter code cities and charter code cities is intended to confer the greatest power
of local self-government consistent with the Constitution of this state and shall be construed
liberally in favor of such cities. Specific mention of a particular municipal power or authority
contained in this title or in the general law shall be construed as in addition and supplementary
to, or explanatory of the powers conferred in general terms by this chapter.
RCW 35A.11.060
Participation in Economic Opportunity Act programs.
The legislative body of any city or town is hereby authorized and empowered in its discretion by
resolution or ordinance passed by a majority of the legislative body, to take whatever action it
deems necessary to enable the city or town to participate in the programs set forth in the
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452; 78 Stat. 508), as amended. Such
participation may be engaged in as a sole city or town operation or in conjunction or cooperation
with the state, any other city or town, county, or municipal corporation, or any private
corporation qualified under said Economic Opportunity Act.
RCW 35A.11.070
Tourist promotion.
See RCW 35.21.700.
RCW 35A.11.080
Initiative and referendum Election to exercise Restriction or abandonment.
The qualified electors or legislative body of a noncharter code city may provide for the exercise
in their city of the powers of initiative and referendum, upon electing so to do in the manner
provided for changing the classification of a city or town in RCW 35A.02.020, 35A.02.025,
35A.02.030, and 35A.02.035, as now or hereafter amended.
The exercise of such powers may be restricted or abandoned upon electing so to do in the
manner provided for abandoning the plan of government of a noncharter code city in RCW
35A.06.030, 35A.06.040, 35A.06.050, and 35A.06.060, as now or hereafter amended.
NOTES: Ordinances of noncharter code cities the qualified electors of which have elected to
exercise the powers of initiative and referendum shall not go into effect before thirty days from
the time of final passage and are subject to referendum during the interim except:
(1) Ordinances initiated by petition;
(2) Ordinances necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety or for
the support of city government and its existing public institutions which contain a statement of
urgency and are passed by unanimous vote of the council;
(3) Ordinances providing for local improvement districts;
(4) Ordinances appropriating money;
(5) Ordinances providing for or approving collective bargaining;
(6) Ordinances providing for the compensation of or working conditions of city employees;
and
(7) Ordinances authorizing or repealing the levy of taxes; which excepted ordinances shall go
into effect as provided by the general law or by applicable sections of Title 35A RCW as now or
hereafter amended.
[1973 1st ex.s. c 81 § 2.]
RCW 35A.11.100
Initiative and referendum Exercise of powers.
Except as provided in RCW 35A.11.090, and except that the number of registered voters needed
to sign a petition for initiative or referendum shall be fifteen percent of the total number of
names of persons listed as registered voters within the city on the day of the last preceding city
general election, the powers of initiative and referendum in noncharter code cities shall be
exercised in the manner set forth for the commission form of government in RCW 35.17.240
through 35.17.360, as now or hereafter amended.
[1973 lstex.s. c 81 § 3.]
NOTES:
Sufficiency of petition in code city: RCW 35A.01.040.
RCW 35A.11.110
Members of legislative bodies authorized to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law
enforcement officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body of any
code city, by resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of the full legislative body, may authorize
any of its members to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers, or
both, and to receive the same compensation, insurance and other benefits as are applicable to
other volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers employed by the code city.
RCW 35A.11.200
Criminal code repeal by city operating municipal court Agreement covering costs of
handling resulting criminal cases Arbitration. A code city operating a municipal court may
not repeal in its entirety that portion of its municipal code defining crimes unless the
municipality has reached an agreement with the appropriate county under chapter 39.34 RCW
under which the county is to be paid a reasonable amount for costs associated with prosecution,
adjudication, and sentencing in criminal cases filed in district court as a result of the repeal. The
agreement shall include provisions for periodic review and renewal of the terms of the
agreement. If the municipality and the county are unable to agree on the terms for renewal of the
agreement, they shall be deemed to have entered into an agreement to submit the issue to
arbitration under chapter 7.04 RCW. Pending conclusion of the arbitration proceeding, the terms
of the agreement shall remain in effect. The municipality and the county have the same rights
and are subject to the same duties as other parties who have agreed to submit to arbitration under
chapter 7.04 RCW.
NOTES:
Court Improvement Act of 1984 Effective dates Severability Short title 1984 c 258:
See notes following RCW 3.30.010.
RCW 35A.11.210
Juvenile curfews.
(1) Any code city has the authority to enact an ordinance, for the purpose of preserving the
public safety or reducing acts of violence by or against juveniles that are occurring at such rates
as to be beyond the capacity of the police to assure public safety, establishing times and
conditions under which juveniles may be present on the public streets, in the public parks, or in
any other public place during specified hours.
(2) The ordinance shall not contain any criminal sanctions for a violation of the ordinance.
City Population Location Average time committed Compensation
Per month
Vancouver 145,300 Surest 90 hours per month is reported Mayor $1885.00
for retirement service credits Council $1260
Bellevue 111,500 West Mayor $1950.00
Council $1650.00
Federal Way 83,890 West Considered part time Mayor $1375.00
employees Council $1075.00
Yakima 73,040 Central Council 15-20 hours per week Mayor $1043.95
Mayor 30 - 40 hours per week Deputy $800.37
Council $695.97
Lakewood 58,190 West Mayor $900.00
Council $700.00
Kennewick 55,780 Central Mayor $1191.00
Deputy $1091.00
Council $992.00
Shoreline 53,421 West # of hours reported to L&I per Mayor $875.00
month Council $700.00
Mayor 95, Deputy 78 and
council 60
Kirkland 45,770 West Mayor $950.00
Council $650.00
Olympia 42,530 West 25 hours per week Mayor $933.40
Deputy $738.66
Council $656.08
(2003)
Richland 39,350 Central Estimate 160 hours per month Mayor $1125.00
for pay checks Council $875.00
All cities have 2 regular council meetings per month and officials serve 4 year terms.
Page 1 of 1
Nina Regor
From: Nina Regor
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 6:15 PM
To: Rod Grondel (grundyl3@comcast.net); Dave Gregory (dngregory@comcast.net); Diane Brown
(hcbdnb@comcast.net); Frankie DeWitt (fdewitt2004@comcast.net); Jim Huttenmaier(SC)
ahuttenmaier@icehouse. net); Michele Eickerman (meickerman@hotmail.com)
Subject: Update on the 10 comparable jurisdictions
We're continuing to gather background information from the 10 Washington cities. I'll bring copies to
the meeting. Concerning monthly salaries, following is a brief analysis of the ten cities:
Highest Lowest Average
Monthly Salary Monthly Salary Monthly Salary
Mayor $1,950 $875 $1,223
Deputy Ma or* $1,650 $650 $954
Council Member $1,650 $650 $925
*Three of the tan cities pay their Deputy Mayor a higher amount than their Councilors; in the other seven cities, the monthly
salary for the Deputy Mayor is the same as the Councilors'.
In comparison, Spokane Valley's Mayor receives $500 per month, and the Deputy Mayor and
Councilors each receive $400 per month.
See you Wednesday. Nina
6/29/2004
20 04 Report - Salary Review Commission - City of Vancouver, Washington Page 1 of 5
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tl{t.4i .c-ow~' r Home
BUDGET CYCLE 2005-2006 REPORT
AND
[MAYOR/COUNCIL SALARY-SCHEDULE
VANCOUVER CITIZEN'S COMMISSION ON MAYOR/COUNCIL SALARY
2004Meeting Minutes
(Requires free Adobe Acrobat reader.)
March 4
TO: Paul Lewis, Vancouver City Clerk March 12
FROM: Vancouver Citizen's Commission on Mayor/Council Salary March 25
By: John Jenkins, Chair April 6
DATE: April 15, 2004 April 15
2005_2006-Mayor/Council Salary_Sched_ule
(in Ordinance-Form)
Pursuant to Vancouver City Charter Section 2.18, the Vancouver Citizen's Commission on Mayor/Council Salary
submits to you for filing and publication the attached mayor/council salary schedule for Budget Years 2005-2006.
Comte mission Charge:
The Commission is charged by Section 2.18 of the City Charter with studying the relationship of salaries to the
duties of the Mayor and City Councilmembers and fixing such salaries.
The Commission must hold at least two public hearings during the course of its deliberations.
It must file with the City Clerk a schedule of salaries by May 1 st every other year to coincide with the next City
biennial budget cycle.
The Charter directs that each such schedule be filed in ordinance form, and be published in the same manner as
a city ordinance. The schedule is subject to referendum in the same manner as for ordinances.
Establishment and History:
In the election of November 8, 1994, the voters of the City of Vancouver added a new Section 2.18 to the City
Charter establishing an independent commission to set the salaries of the Mayor and Council for each biennial
budget.
The first Commission was appointed in late 1994, after the Charter amendment was approved. It fled the initial
salary schedule under Section 2.18 on April 12, 1995, to be effective 30 days later.
Subsequently, the Commission met in 1996 to set salaries for the 1997-1998 biennial budget cycle, in 1998 to
set salaries for the 1999-2000 cycle, in 2000 to set salaries for the 2001-2002 cycle, and in 2002 to set salaries
for the 2003-2004 cycle.
The salaries of the Mayor and Council, since 1983 have been as follows:
Council Mayor
2004 1260 2004 1885
2003 1260 2003 1885
2002 1260 2002 1885
http://www.ei.vancouver.wa.us/salary_review/detault.asp 6/21/2004
2004 Report - Salary Review Commission - City of Vancouver, Washington Page 2 of 5
r
2001 1260 2001 1885
2000 1050 2000 1450
1999 1050 1999 1450
1998 750 1998 1150
1997 750 1997 1150
1996 650 1996 1000
1995 650 1995 1000
1994 500 1994 800
1993 500 1993 800
1992 500 1992 800
1991 300 1991 500
1990 300 1990 500
1989 300 1989 500
1988 300 1988 500
1987 300 1987 500
1986 300 1986 500
1985 300 1985 500
1984 300 1984 500
1983 200 1983 475
Commissioners:
The Commission is made up of five citizen members who are appointed for staggered terms by the Mayor,
subject to approval of the City Council. No Commission member may be a City officer, official, or employee or
immediate family member of any City officer, official or employee. Commission members may only serve one
four-year term and may not be removed from office except because of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty
or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence.
the Salary Settmg.Process:
The Commission has generally used the following process in developing the salary schedule.
Research is done on the salaries of mayors and councilmembers in other cities, which are comparable to the
City of Vancouver in one or more aspects, including:
Population
Form and organization of government (i.e. council/manager form in which the elected council and mayor
set policy and a city manager hired by the council manages the day-to-day business of the city.)
No fewer than two public meetings are held to take testimony on the appropriate salaries for the mayor
and council. The mayor and councilmembers are invited to provide testimony.
At the final public meeting, a salary schedule is adopted by a majority vote of the members.
The salary schedule must be filed with the City Clerk no later than May 1 of the year prior to the new
budget cycle in order to permit the schedule to be incorporated and any salary changes to be
implemented January 1 of the new biennial cycle.
The salary schedule becomes effective law 30 days after filing, but, except for the first schedule after the
1994 election, is not implemented until the next biennial budget cycle.
http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/salary_review/default.asp 6/21/2004
2004 Report - Salary Review Commission - City of Vancouver, Washington Page 3 oP 5
The salary schedule is subject, prior to its effective date, to a referendum petition by the people.
All meetings, actions, hearings, and business are subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. Records are
maintained in compliance with the Public Records Law.
Commission Work for the 2005-2006 Budget Cycle:
The Commissioners who served on the Commission in 2004 (for the 2005-2006 budget cycle) are:
Commissioner Appointed End of Term
John Jenkins (Chairperson) 2/1/02 12/31/05
Barney Speight 2/1/02 1/1/03
Max Meier 211/02 12/31/04
Sharon Censer 1/1/03 12/31/06
Jennifer Vail 1/1/03 12/31/06
Staff
Debby Watts and Connie Lawson, City Human Resources, provide staff support, along with Jim McNamara,
Assistant City Attorney.
Work of_the 2004 Commission
In 2004, the Commission held five public meetings, the first four also included a public hearing. These were held
on March 4, March 12, March 25, April 6 and April 15, 2004.
Meetings were held from 5pm to 7 pm, with the exception of the meeting on March 12 which was held from 2
pm to 4 pm, at the Esther Short Building, 610 Esther Street, in Vancouver. Commission meetings were
publicized well in advance, and the public was invited to appear and present their views.
In its salary setting deliberations, the Commission recognized the importance of considering the relationship of
the demands of the jobs of mayor and councilmember to the level of salaries, the relationship of salaries to
enabling qualified persons to serve mayor and members of council, and the importance of being sensitive to the
City's current economic and budget conditions.
The rationale behind the no-increase salary schedule adopted for 2005-2006 includes factors such as:
. The testimony and input from the Mayor and Councilmembers.
e The salaries and benefits of mayors and councilmembers in comparable cities in Washington State and in
other states.
. The comparable cities utilized and salaries of their mayors and councilmembers were:
Jurisdiction Mayor Salary Council Salary Jurisdiction Mayor Salary Council Salary
Vancouver, WA $1,885 $1,260 Bellevue, WA $1,950 $1,650
150,700 pop. 116,500 pop.
Tacoma, WA Everett, WA' $10,236
193,556 pop. $5,945 $2,694 97,000 pop. $1,676
Spokane, WA' $9,091 $1,500 Kent, WA` $8,516 $1,146
197,000 pop. 84,210 pop.
Federal Way, WA $1,375 $1,075 Naperville, IL $2,083.33 $833.33
83,840 pop. 134,700 pop.
liltp://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/salary_review/deI'auIt.asp 6/21/2004
2004 Report - Salary Review Commission - City o1' Vancouver, Washington Page 4 of 5
Alexandria, VA $2,541.58 $2,291.58 Santa Rosa, CA $900 $600
134,500 pop. 155,000 pop.
Sterling Heights, MI $1,462.59 $1,184.17
124,471 pop.
'These are cities with a mayor/council or "strong mayor" form of government in which the mayor is the chief
executive of the city and manages its day-to-day business. These were not treated as comparables for purposes
of salary setting because Vancouver has a council/manager form of government. They were considered for
purposes of comparing salary levels of the two forms of city government.
Current economic and budget conditions of the City.
Public policy value of attracting and retaining qualified candidates to run for mayor and council.
Public policy value of attracting candidates from various occupations to run for mayor and council.
Recognizing the primary motivation for running for office and staying in office is the desire to serve the
public, not monetary reward.
. Increases approved in the past budget cycles were significant and reflected what the City was going
through (booming 1990's economy, major annexations, increased complexity of issues).
. Apparent absence of public concern about current mayor/council salaries as indicated by no testimony,
letters or emails to the Commission in this cycle and mild public reaction to salary increases approved in
first four Commission cycles.
After consideration of these factors, the Commission voted at its meeting of April 6, 2004, to maintain salaries at
the current level and to approve the following salary schedule for the 2005-2006 biennium:
Mayor: $1885 (no change)
Councilmembers: $1260 (no change)
The Commission had discussion regarding the differential between the salary for the mayor's position and the
council positions. The members felt that the differential did not accurately reflect the differences in
responsibilities, and did not necessarily reflect the market information. At this time, however, the Commission is
choosing not to address these concerns.
The Commission wishes to unanimously emphasize that their decision to maintain the current salary level is not
to be seen as any reflection on the qualifications or performance of the current Mayor or Councilmembers, but is
based on a review of the duties of the positions and the factors stated above. The current Commission would
like to put on the record that if the economic climate improves over the next biennium, that the Commission at
that time seriously consider raising the compensation for the Mayor and Councilmembers.
Action Steps:
The Commission requests that the attached 2005-2006 Mayor/Council Salary Schedule be filed with the City
Clerk, assigned a chapter number in Ch. 2.07 VMC, and be published in the same manner as a City ordinance in
compliance with Charter Section 2.18.
The Commission further requests that a copy of this report and copies of the minutes from the 2004 Commission
meetings also be filed with the City Clerk, maintained in City Central Records, made available for public
inspection and posted on the City's website at www.ci.vancouver.wa.us under "Public meetings, citizens boards
and commissions."
Return to City of Vancouver Home Page
Return to City Government Page
This page is maintained by City of Vancouver Media Services.
Last revised: April 29, 2004
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2004 Report - Salary Review Commission - City of Vancouver, Washington Page 5 of 5
Copyright 2004
City of Vancouver, Washington
All Rights Reserved
http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us/salary_review/dePault.asp 6/21/2004
Spokane
..ioOValley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 * Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.688-0053 1 Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ oityhall@spokanevalley.org
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Opportunity Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.
June 16, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Rod Grondel
Commission Members Absent: Dave Gregory
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m.
The Commission decided to defer election of a Chair and Vice Chair until the next
meeting, when all members would be present. They reviewed Ordinance 04-018, which
established the Commission.
After reviewing the 2003 Mayor and Council salary data compiled by the Association of
Washington Cities, the Commission decided to seek comparable information from the
following cities: Vancouver; Bellevue; Federal Way; Yakima; Lakewood; Kennewick;
Shoreline; Kirkland; Olympia; and Richland.
These cities are the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley. Like Spokane Valley,
they operate under a Council-Manager form of government. The cities range in
population from 150,700 to 41,650.
The Commission also identified information they will seek from the Spokane Valley City
Council, to help compare their responsibilities to those of the other ten cities. Per
Ordinance 04-018, that request will be made in writing.
The Commission decided to schedule public comment at the beginning and the end of
each meeting. There was no general public present at the June 16 meeting.
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Opportunity
Conference Room of Spokane Valley City Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Spokane
Valley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 1 Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.688-0053 ♦ Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhatt@spokanevalley.org
SALARY COMMISSION
June 30, 2004
Agenda
4:30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers
1. Convene Meeting
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
3. Public Comment
4. Review and Discussion of Comparison Data and Data from Council Members
5. Public Comment
6. Good of the Order
7. Adjourn
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CITY of
Spoka0010 4*&A1V&
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,;o*Valley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 + Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.921.1000 ♦ Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhall@spokanevalley.org
Memorandum
To: Mayor DeVleming and Members of Council
From: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
CC: Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
Date: June 21, 2004
Re: Information Requested from Salary Commission
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission held its first meeting on June 16.
They have requested information from ten Washington cities, who were selected based
upon population. In order to best compare Spokane Valley to these cities, the
Commission is requesting similar information from each of you.
Per Ordinance 04-018, the request is hereby submitted in writing. Following are the
questions/requests. The Commission's next meeting is scheduled for June 30. Any
information you can provide in advance will be appreciated.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of Roles and Responsibilities
Name:
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor of
Spokane Valley.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and, if so, do you feel
you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the commitments of
the Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor?
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet (for example,
participation at community events; membership in community organizations, such as the
Chamber of Commerce; volunteer work outside of Council)?
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into consideration as
it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with those of other cities?
POWERS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR, DEPUTY MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS:
RCW 35A.13.020
Election of councilmen Eligibility Terms Vacancies Forfeiture of office Council
chairman.
In council-manager code cities, eligibility for election to the council, the manner of electing
councilmen, the numbering of council positions, the terms of councilmen, the occurrence and the
filling of vacancies, the grounds for forfeiture of office, and appointment of a mayor pro tempore
or deputy mayor or councilman pro tempore shall be governed by the corresponding provisions
of RCW 35A.12.030, 35A.12.040, 35A.12.050, 35A.12.060, and 35A.12.065 relating to the
council of a code city organized under the mayor-council plan, except that in council-manager
cities where all council positions are at-large positions, the city council may, pursuant to RCW
35A.13.033, provide that the person elected to council position one shall be the council chairman
and shall carry out the duties prescribed by RCW 35A.13.030.
RCW 35A.13.030
Mayor Election Chairman to be mayor Duties.
Biennially at the first meeting of the new council the members thereof shall choose a chairman
from among their number unless the chairman is elected pursuant to RCW 35A.13.033. The
chairman of the council shall have the title of mayor and shall preside at meetings of the council.
In addition to the powers conferred upon him as mayor, he shall continue to have all the rights,
privileges, and immunities of a member of the council. The mayor shall be recognized as the
head of the city for ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law. He
shall have no regular administrative duties, but in time of public danger or emergency, if so
authorized by ordinance, shall take command of the police, maintain law, and enforce
order.
RCW 35A.13.035
Mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor.
Biennially at the first meeting of a new council, or periodically, the members thereof, by
majority vote, may designate one of their number as mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor for
such period as the council may specify, to serve in the absence or temporary disability of the
mayor; or, in lieu thereof, the council may, as the need may arise, appoint any qualified person to
serve as mayor pro tempore in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor. In the event of
the extended excused absence or disability of a councilman, the remaining members by majority
vote may appoint a councilman pro tempore to serve during the absence or disability.
RCW 35A.13.230
Powers of council.
The, council of any code city organized under the council-manager plan provided in this chapter
shall have the powers and authority granted to legislative bodies of cities governed by this title as
more particularly described in chapter 35A.I I RCW, except insofar as such power and authority
is vested in the city manager.
Chapter 35A.11 RCW
LAWS GOVERNING NONCHARTER CODE CITIES AND CHARTER CODE CITIES -
- POWERS
RCW 35A.11.010
Rights, powers and privileges.
Each city governed under this optional municipal code, whether charter or noncharter, shall be
entitled "City of (naming it), and by such name shall have perpetual succession; may sue
and be sued in all courts and proceedings; use a corporate seal approved by its legislative body;
and, by and through its legislative body, such municipality may contract and be contracted with;
may purchase, lease, receive, or otherwise acquire real and personal property of every kind, and
use, enjoy, hold, lease, control, convey or otherwise dispose of it for the common benefit.
RCW 35A.11.020
Powers vested in legislative bodies of noncharter and charter code cities.
The legislative body of each code city shall have power to organize and regulate its internal
affairs within the provisions of this title and its charter, if any; and to define the functions,
powers, and duties of its officers and employees; within the limitations imposed by vested rights,
to fix the compensation and working conditions of such officers and employees and establish and
maintain civil service, or merit systems, retirement and pension systems not in conflict with the
provisions of this title or of existing charter provisions until changed by the people: PROVIDED,
That nothing in this section or in this title shall permit any city, whether a code city or otherwise,
to enact any provisions establishing or respecting a merit system or system of civil service for
firemen and policemen which does not substantially accomplish the same purpose as provided by
general law in chapter 41.08, RCW for firemen and chapter 41.12 RCW for policemen now or as
hereafter amended, or enact any provision establishing or respecting a pension or retirement
system for firemen or policemen which provides different pensions or retirement benefits than
are provided by general law for such classes.
Such body may adopt and enforce ordinances of all kinds relating to and regulating its local or
municipal affairs and appropriate to the good government of the city, and may impose penalties
of fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year,
or both, for the violation of such ordinances, constituting a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor
as provided therein. However, the punishment for any criminal ordinance shall be the same as
the punishment provided in state law for the same crime. Such a body alternatively may provide
that violation of such ordinances constitutes a civil violation subject to monetary penalty, but no
act which is a state crime may be made a civil violation.
The legislative body of each code city shall have all powers possible for a city or town to have
under the Constitution of this state, and not specifically denied to code cities by law. By way of
illustration and not in limitation, such powers may be exercised in regard to the acquisition, sale,
ownership, improvement, maintenance, protection, restoration, regulation, use, leasing,
disposition, vacation, abandonment or beautification of public ways, real property of all kinds,
waterways, structures, or any other improvement or use of real or personal property, in regard to
all aspects of collective bargaining as provided for and subject to the provisions of chapter 41.56
RCW, as now or hereafter amended, and in the rendering of local social, cultural, recreational,
educational, governmental, or corporate services, including operating and supplying of utilities
and municipal services commonly or conveniently rendered by cities or towns.
In addition and not in limitation, the legislative body of each code city shall have any authority
ever given to any class of municipality or to all municipalities of this state before or after the
enactment of this title, such authority to be exercised in the manner provided, if any, by the
granting statute, when not in conflict with this title. Within constitutional limitations, legislative
bodies of code cities shall have within their territorial limits all powers of taxation for local
purposes except those which are expressly preempted by the state as provided in RCW
66.08.120, 82.36.440, 48.14.020, and 48.14.080.
RCW 35A.11.030
Applicability of general law.
Powers of eminent domain, borrowing, taxation, and the granting of franchises may be exercised
by the legislative bodies of code cities in the manner provided in this title or by the general law
of the state where not inconsistent with this title; and the duties to be performed and the
procedure to be followed by such cities in regard to the keeping of accounts and records, official
bonds, health and safety and other matters not specifically provided for in this title, shall be
governed by the general law. For the purposes of this title, "the general law" means any
provision of state law, not inconsistent with this title, enacted before or after the passage of this
title which is by its terms applicable or available to all cities or towns.
RCW 35A.11.040
Intergovernmental cooperation and action.
The legislative body of a code city may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions
including purchasing, and participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, as
provided for in chapter 39.34 RCW. The legislative body of a code city shall have power to
accept any gift or grant for any public purpose and may carry out any conditions of such gift or
grant when not in conflict with state or federal law.
RCW 35A.11.050
Statement of purpose and policy.
The general grant of municipal power conferred by this chapter and this title on legislative
bodies of noncharter code cities and charter code cities is intended to confer the greatest power
of local self-government consistent with the Constitution of this state and shall be construed
liberally in favor of such cities. Specific mention of a particular municipal power or authority
contained in this title or in the general law shall be construed as in addition and supplementary
to, or explanatory of the powers conferred in general terms by this chapter.
RCW 35A.11.060
Participation in Economic Opportunity Act programs.
The legislative body of any city or town is hereby authorized and empowered in its discretion by
resolution or ordinance passed by a majority of the legislative body, to take whatever action it
deems necessary to enable the city or town to participate in the programs set forth in the
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452; 78 Stat. 508), as amended. Such
participation may be engaged in as a sole city or town operation or in conjunction or cooperation
with the state, any other city or town, county, or municipal corporation, or any private
corporation qualified under said Economic Opportunity Act.
RCW 35A.11.070
Tourist promotion.
See RCW 35.21.700.
RCW 35A.11.080
Initiative and referendum Election to exercise Restriction or abandonment.
The qualified electors or legislative body of a noncharter code city may provide for the exercise
in their city of the powers of initiative and referendum, upon electing so to do in the manner
provided for changing the classification of a city or town in RCW 35A.02.020, 35A.02.025,
35A.02.030, and 35A.02.035, as now or hereafter amended.
The exercise of such powers may be restricted or abandoned upon electing so to do in the
manner provided for abandoning the plan of government of a noncharter code city in RCW
35A.06.030, 35A.06.040, 35A.06.050, and 35A.06.060, as now or hereafter amended.
NOTES: Ordinances of noncharter code cities the qualified electors of which have elected to
exercise the powers of initiative and referendum shall not go into effect before thirty days from
the time of final passage and are subject to referendum during the interim except:
(1) Ordinances initiated by petition;
(2) Ordinances necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety or for
the support of city government and its existing public institutions which contain a statement of
urgency and are passed by unanimous vote of the council;
(3) Ordinances providing for local improvement districts;
(4) Ordinances appropriating money;
(5) Ordinances providing for or approving collective bargaining;
(6) Ordinances providing for the compensation of or working conditions of city employees;
and
ti
(7) Ordinances authorizing or repealing the levy of taxes; which excepted ordinances shall go
into effect as provided by the general law or by applicable sections of Title 35A RCW as now or
hereafter amended.
[ 1973 1 st ex.s. c 81 § 2.1
RCW 35A.11.100
Initiative and referendum Exercise of powers.
Except as provided in RCW 35A.11.090, and except that the number of registered voters needed
to sign a petition for initiative or referendum shall be fifteen percent of the total number of
names of persons listed as registered voters within the city on the day of the last preceding city
general election, the powers of initiative and referendum in noncharter code cities shall be
exercised in the manner set forth for the commission form of government in RCW 35.17.240
through 35.17.360, as now or hereafter amended.
[1973 1st ex.s. c 81 § 3.]
NOTES:
Sufficiency of petition in code city: RCW 35A.01.040.
RCW 35A.11.110
Members of legislative bodies authorized to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law
enforcement officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body of any
code city, by resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of the full legislative body, may authorize
any of its members to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers, or
both, and to receive the same compensation, insurance and other benefits as are applicable to
other volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers employed by the code city.
RCW 35A.11.200
Criminal code repeal by city operating municipal court Agreement covering costs of
handling resulting criminal cases Arbitration. A code city operating a municipal court may
not repeal in its entirety that portion of its municipal code defining crimes unless the
municipality has reached an agreement with the appropriate county under chapter 39.34 RCW
under which the county is to be paid a reasonable amount for costs associated with prosecution,
adjudication, and sentencing in criminal cases filed in district court as a result of the repeal. The
agreement shall include provisions for periodic review and renewal of the terms of the
agreement. If the municipality and the county are unable to agree on the terms for renewal of the
agreement, they shall be deemed to have entered into an agreement to submit the issue to
arbitration under chapter 7.04 RCW. Pending conclusion of the arbitration proceeding, the terms
of the agreement shall remain in effect. The municipality and the county have the same rights
and are subject to the same duties as other parties who have agreed to submit to arbitration under
chapter 7.04 RCW.
A.
NOTES:
Court Improvement Act of 1984 Effective dates Severability Short title 1984 c 258:
See notes following RCW 3.30.010.
RCW 35A.11.210
Juvenile curfews.
(1) Any code city has the authority to enact an ordinance, for the purpose of preserving the
public safety or reducing acts of violence by or against juveniles that are occurring at such rates
as to be beyond the capacity of the police to assure public safety, establishing times and
conditions under which juveniles may be present on the public streets, in the public parks, or in
any other public place during specified hours.
(2) The ordinance shall not contain any criminal sanctions for a violation of the ordinance.
Spokane
,;0WValley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 * Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.921.1000 4 Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhall®spokanevalley.org
Memorandum
To: Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk
From: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
CC: Members of the Salary Commission
Date: August 2, 2004
Re: Final Report of the 2004 Salary Commission
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission was formed pursuant to Ordinance
04-018. The purpose of the Commission was to review and establish the salaries of the
Mayor and Council.
According to the Ordinance, the Commission was to begin meeting no later than June 23,
2004, and was to file its schedule of salaries with the City Clerk no later than August 2,
2004. The Commission met on June 16, June 30, July 8, and July 20, 2004.
Attached is the final report of the City of Spokane Valley Independent Salary
Commission. The Commission was very thoughtful in its deliberations. The report
includes the salary schedule along with their rationale.
The monthly salary schedule is as follows:
Current New
Mayor $500 $1,200
Deputy Mayor $400 $1,000
Councilor $400 $900
Please let me know if you have questions.
Nina Regor,
Staff Liaison to the Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Final Report: August 2, 2004
Members:
• Dave Gregory, Chair
• Rod Grondel, Vice Chair
• Diane Brown
• Frankie DeWitt
• Michele Eickerman
• Jim Huttenmeier, Alternate
• Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager, Staff Liaison
Introduction
The City of Spokane Valley was incorporated effective March 31, 2003. It was the
largest incorporation in Washington State, and the second largest incorporation in the
country. With a population of 83,950, it is the eighth largest city in Washington.
Spokane Valley operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The legislative
branch is made up of a seven member Council, with the Mayor chosen by his or her
fellow Councilors. The City Council hires a professional City Manager as the City's
Chief Executive Officer. He or she is responsible for the administration of the city, and
carrying out the policy directives of Council.
According to the state laws on incorporation, The Mayor receives $500 per month, and
the Council members receive $400 per month. The Spokane Valley City Council adopted
this salary schedule until they could form an independent salary commission to provide a
more in-depth analysis.
Description of Commission
On May 25, 2004, the City of Spokane Valley City Council approved Ordinance 04-018,
creating a five-member Independent Salary Commission. The purpose of the
Commission was to review and establish the salaries of the Mayor and Council.
The City advertised the Commission openings, received applications, and on June 8
appointed five members and one alternate. The term of the Commission is one year, and
the commissioners serve without compensation.
According to Ordinance 04-018, the Independent Salary Commission was to begin
meeting no later than June 23, 2004, and was to file its schedule of salaries with the City
Clerk no later than August 2, 2004. Appendix III contains a summary of each meeting.
The Commission met on June 16, June 30, July 8, and July 20, 2004, and submitted its
report on August 2, 2004.
The Process
The Salary Commission looked at Mayor and Council salary information compiled by the
Association of Washington Cities of over 250 cities throughout the state. They narrowed
their comparison to the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley who also operated
under the Council-Manager form of government. See Appendix I for more information
on comparables.
The Commission members focused on two priorities in their deliberation: thorough
understanding of the work of Spokane Valley Council members; and public opinion of a
fair salary to pay the Mayor and Council.
Page 2 of 13
The Commission sent a questionnaire to City Council, soliciting information about the
work they did as elected officials. Appendix IV provides a copy of the questionnaire.
All seven Council members responded. See below for a description of Council roles and
responsibilities.
The Commission held public meetings, and the City posted the meeting agendas and
meeting summaries on its web site. Commission members also conducted interviews
with the media, who agreed to run articles requesting public input. In addition, some of
the members distributed a mini-survey, and randomly asked general citizens their opinion
on a fair salary for the Mayor and Council. See Appendix II for a summary of public
input results.
Each Commission member crafted a preliminary proposal. The Commission as a whole
discussed the five proposals and reached consensus on a final salary schedule.
Council Roles and Responsibilities
The Salary Commission was surprised to discover how much time the Mayor and
Council spend on City business. They were not alone. As they spoke with members of
the community, the Commission found that in general, citizens are unaware of the
amount of time involved in being a City of Spokane Valley elected official.
On average, the Mayor of Spokane Valley devotes 30 - 32 hours per week for Council
commitments, plus an additional 10 - 20 hours per month for community commitments.
The Deputy Mayor devotes 20 - 25 hours per week for Council commitments, and 12 -
32 hours per month for additional community commitments. The remaining five
Councilors devote 18 - 45 hours per week for Council commitments, along with 5 - 80
hours per month for additional community commitments.
There are typically two regular Council meetings and two study sessions per month.
These meetings last two to three hours each. In addition to the meeting attendance, the
Mayor and Council prepare for each meeting by reading the material and sometimes
following up in advance with questions they may have.
In their role as policy makers for the City, they need to stay informed on issues such as
provision of public services; land use and zoning; level of taxation and spending; and
regional, state and federal legislative proposals.
In addition to these regular commitments, Council members represent the City's interests
on various regional Boards and Commissions. For instance, Councilors are currently
Board members of the Spokane Transit Authority, the Regional Health District, the
Convention & Visitors Bureau and the International Trade Alliance. They also represent
the City at the state and national level, with a Councilor serving on the Board of the
Association of Washington Cities, and on the National League of Cities Information &
Technology Committee.
Page 3 of 13
They interact both formally and informally with other elected officials in the region,
representing Spokane Valley's interests on a broader level. Examples of current issues
include the future of wastewater treatment, regional emergency management, and a
regional approach to animal control.
The responsibilities of the Mayor and Council also include maintaining contact with the
community. They are active in community organizations and events such as the Spokane
Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, the Spokane Valley
Business Association and ValleyFest.
On a periodic basis, they hold Conversations with the Community, at various locations
around the city. During the school year, they also visit area high schools to discuss issues
of importance to Spokane Valley's youth. They regularly receive and respond to letters,
e-mails and telephone calls.
The Mayor and Council develop and deliver presentations to community organizations,
such as the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. They write articles and guest
editorials, and conduct press conferences and on-air interviews. They attend ribbon
cuttings, ground breakings, grand openings, open houses and graduations. At some of
these events they are simply in attendance, and at others they are writing and delivering
speeches or acting as master of ceremonies.
In addition to the above responsibilities, the Mayor manages the agenda and presides at
Council meetings. The Deputy Mayor assumes the responsibilities of the Mayor in his or
her absence.
Rationale for the Proposal
The City of Spokane Valley adopted the state-declared $500 per month for the Mayor and
$400 per month for Council until an independent salary commission could be appointed
to review the amounts. In many cases, this meant that Council members were paid in
effect less than half the minimum wage. The Commission members uniformly agreed
that the amount was too low for the amount of time elected officials were obliged to
devote to the City.
The Salary Commission believes that the City should compensate its elected officials in
the form of a stipend - not a full salary reflecting the full value of the time and effort put
in by the Mayor and Council.
Every Commission member expressed appreciation for the work of each member of the
City Council. However, they want the basis for the Spokane Valley City Council to be
grounded in a sense of volunteerism, and a desire to serve the community.
The Commission recognized that a City Council member is never "off-duty." He or she
is approached by citizens not only at official events, but also in his or her every day life,
Page 4 of 13
such as at work, at the grocery store and at church. The Commission members feel this
accessibility is important to the community, and want it to continue.
While the Commission didn't feel it was appropriate to propose a full salary, they did feel
the City should compensate its elected officials at a higher stipend than they currently
receive, for the significant impact to their personal lives and that of their families.
The Commission looked at other benefits offered to the Mayor and Council, and the fact
that the City does not offer them a retirement benefit. They weighed this information as
they developed the proposal; however, they recognized that the scope of their work was
limited to the salary.
Looking at the ten comparable cities, the proposed salary schedule is less than the
average monthly salary for the Mayor and the Council members, and slightly above
average for the Deputy Mayor. It should be noted that only three of the seven cities paid
a different amount to the Deputy Mayor, than to their Council members. However, in
Spokane Valley's case, the Deputy Mayor does carry responsibilities in addition to that of
the Council members.
Salary Schedule Proposal
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission proposes the following salary
schedule for the City of Spokane Valley Mayor and Council:
Position ClurreAt Monthly 'Proposed Monthly
Mayor $500 $1,200
Deputy Mayor $400 $1,000
Councilor $400 $900
The Commission recommends no automatic annual cost of living increase.
Pursuant to state law (RCW 35.21.015), this salary schedule shall become effective and
incorporated into the city budget without further action of the City Council or Salary
Commission, subject to a referendum of the people.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Gregory,
Chair of the Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
Page 5 of 13
APPENDIX I: Comparables
The Salary Commission selected as its comparables the ten cities closest in size to
Spokane Valley who also operated under the Council-Manager form of government
city Population Average time committed Compensation
Per month
Vancouver 145,300 90 hours per month is reported Mayor $1,885.00
for retirement service credits Council $1,260.00
Bellevue 111,500 Mayor $1,950.00
Council $1,650.00
Federal Way 83,890 Considered part time Mayor $1,375.00
employees Council $1,075.00
Yakima 73,040 Council 15-20 hours per week Mayor $1,043.95
Mayor 30 - 40 hours per week Deputy $800.37
Council $695.97
Lakewood 58,190 Mayor $900.00
Council $700.00
Kennewick 55,780 Mayor $1,191.00
Deputy $1,091.00
Council $992.00
Shoreline 53,421 # of hours reported to L&I per Mayor $875.00
month: Mayor 95; Deputy 78; Council $700.00
Council 60
Kirkland 45,770 Mayor $950.00
Council $650.00
Olympia 42,530 25 hours per week Mayor $933.40
Deputy $738.66
Council $656.08
Richland 39,350 Estimate 160 hours per month Mayor $1,125.00
for ay checks Council $875.00
Average Mayor $1,223.00
Deputy $954.00
Council $925.00
Spokane Valley 1 83,950 See below Mayor $500.00
Council $400.00
In comparison, the following estimates apply for Spokane Valley Council members:
• Mayor: 30 - 32 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 10 - 20 hours per
month for additional community commitments;
• Deputy Mayor: 20 - 25 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 12 - 32
hours per month for additional community commitments;
• Councilors (5): 18 - 45 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 5 - 80
hours per month for additional community commitments.
Page 6 of 13
APPENDIX II: Summary of Public Input Results
The Salary Commission took both a proactive and reactive approach to seeking
public input. Among the reactive approaches were the following:
• The meeting agendas and minutes were published on the City web site.
• The Commission meetings were held in a public setting, with public input
allowed at the beginning and the end of each meeting. A total of four
people attended the meetings.
In order to proactively seek public input, the Commission took the following
additional steps:
• Conducted interviews with the media to encourage citizens to call, e-mail
or write letters to the City to voice their opinions. As a result of the media
coverage, the City received thirteen e-mails, one mailed letter and eleven
telephone calls. Seven people spoke in favor of an increase, and eighteen
opposed an increase, at least at this time.
• Developed and handed out a brief written survey. About 35 responded,
and all respondents favored a salary increase for the Mayor and Council.
• Asked individuals with whom they came in contact. Almost 100
individuals offered their opinion. The general feeling was surprise that so
much time and work was involved in the completion of their jobs. Every
person supported the idea of an increase in the payment of the Mayor, the
Deputy Mayor and the Council to a level that would retain people of
integrity and quality for the positions.
The Salary Commission members observed that people were more likely to support a
salary increase using one of the two direct communication approaches. The direct
approaches gave the Commission members the opportunity to describe the Mayor and
Council's responsibilities, and to tell them what the Council was currently being paid.
Virtually all of the citizens using these approaches supported some form of salary
increase. By contrast, about 28% of those who offered their opinions by telephone, e-
mail or letter supported an increase.
Page 7 of 13
APPENDIX III: Meeting Summaries
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Opportunity Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.
June 16, 2004 -Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Rod Grondel
Commission Members Absent: Dave Gregory
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m.
The Commission decided to defer election of a Chair and Vice Chair until the next
meeting, when all members would be present. They reviewed Ordinance 04-018, which
established the Commission.
After reviewing the 2003 Mayor and Council salary data compiled by the Association of
Washington Cities, the Commission decided to seek comparable information from the
following cities: Vancouver; Bellevue; Federal Way; Yakima; Lakewood; Kennewick;
Shoreline; Kirkland; Olympia; and Richland.
These cities are the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley. Like Spokane Valley,
they operate under a Council-Manager form of government. The cities range in
population from 150,700 to 41,650.
The Commission also identified information they will seek from the Spokane Valley City
Council, to help compare their responsibilities to those of the other ten cities. Per
Ordinance 04-018, that request will be made in writing.
The Commission decided to schedule public comment at the beginning and the end of
each meeting. There was no general public present at the June 16 meeting.
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Opportunity
Conference Room of Spokane Valley City Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Page 8 of 13
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Council Chambers, 4:30 p.m.
June 30, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. The Commission chose Dave Gregory as Chair, and Rod
Grondel as Vice Chair.
During the first public comment period, Bob Blum provided some general background
comments.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 16 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and discussed various background documents, including
RCW 35A; a table of information on comparable cities (chosen at the last meeting using
population as a guide); information on the City of Vancouver's Salary; Commission; and
survey responses from Spokane Valley Council members. They requested information
on retirement and other benefits available to the Spokane Valley City Council.
Given the short timeframe of the task force, they agreed to each craft a proposal and
submit it by Wednesday morning, July 7. The proposal would address salary for the
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilors, and provide input on an escalator clause. Along
with the proposal, Commission members will describe how they came to their proposal,
i.e., what factors were most important to them in drawing a conclusion. Staff will
compile the information and provide it at the next meeting.
During the second public comment period, Bob Blum expressed how important it would
be for the Commission to describe the rationale behind its recommendations.
The next meeting was scheduled for July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference
Room at the Spokane Valley City Hall site (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Page 9 of 13
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Final Report: August 2, 2004
Members:
• Dave Gregory, Chair
• Rod Grondel, Vice Chair
• Diane Brown
• Frankie DeWitt
• Michele Eickerman
• Jim Huttenmeier, Alternate
• Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager, Staff Liaison
Introduction
The City of Spokane Valley was incorporated effective March 31, 2003. It was the
largest incorporation in Washington State, and the second largest incorporation in the
country. With a population of 83,950, it is the eighth largest city in Washington.
Spokane Valley operates under a Council-Manager form of government. Thelegislative
branch is made up of a seven member Council, with the Mayor chosen by his or her .
fellow Councilors. The City Council hires a professional City Manager as the City's
Chief Executive Officer. He or she is responsible for the administration of the city, and
carrying out the policy directives of Council.
According to the state laws on incorporation, The Mayor receives $500 per month, and
the Council members receive $400 per month. The Spokane Valley City Council adopted
this salary schedule until they could form an independent salary commission to provide a
more in-depth analysis.
Description of Commission
On May 25, 2004, the City of Spokane Valley City Council approved Ordinance 04-018,
creating a five-member Independent Salary Commission. The purpose of the
Commission was to review and establish the salaries of the Mayor and Council.
The City advertised the Commission openings, received applications, and on June 8
appointed five members and one alternate. The term of the Commission is one year, and
the commissioners serve without compensation.
According to Ordinance 04-018, the Independent Salary Commission was to begin
meeting no later than June 23, 2004, and was to file its schedule of salaries with the City
Clerk no later than August 2, 2004. Appendix III contains a summary of each meeting.
The Commission met on June 16, June 30, July 8, and July 20, 2004, and submitted its
report on August 2, 2004.
The Process
The Salary Commission looked at Mayor and Council salary information compiled by the
Association of Washington Cities of over 250 cities throughout the state. They narrowed
their comparison to the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley who also operated
under the Council-Manager form of government. See Appendix I for more information
on comparables.
The Commission members focused on two priorities in their deliberation: thorough.
understanding of the work of Spokane Valley Council members; and public opinion of a
fair salary to pay the Mayor and Council.
Page 2 of 13
The Commission sent a questionnaire to City Council, soliciting information about the
work they did as elected officials. Appendix IV provides a copy of the questionnaire.
All seven Council members responded. See below for a description of Council roles and
responsibilities.
The Commission held public meetings, and the City posted the meeting agendas and
meeting summaries on its web site. Commission members also conducted interviews
with the media, who agreed to run articles requesting public input. In addition, some of
the members distributed a mini-survey, and randomly asked general citizens their opinion
on a fair salary for the Mayor and Council. See Appendix II for a summary of public
input results.
Each Commission member crafted a preliminary proposal. The Commission as a whole
discussed the five proposals and reached consensus on a final salary schedule.
Council Roles and Responsibilities
The Salary Commission was surprised to discover how much time the Mayor and
Council spend on City business. They were not alone. As they spoke with members of
the community, the Commission found that in general, citizens are unaware of the
amount of time involved in being a City of Spokane Valley elected official.
On average, the Mayor of Spokane Valley devotes 30 - 32 hours per week for Council
commitments, plus an additional 10 - 20 hours per month for community commitments.
The Deputy Mayor devotes 20 - 25 hours per week for Council commitments, and 12 -
32 hours per month for additional community commitments. The remaining five
Councilors devote 18 - 45 hours per week for Council commitments, along with 5 - 80
hours per month for additional community commitments.
There are typically two regular Council meetings and two study sessions per month.
These meetings last two to three hours each. In addition to the meeting attendance, the
Mayor and Council prepare for each meeting by reading the material and sometimes
following up in advance with questions they may have.
In their role as policy makers for the City, they need to stay informed on issues such as
provision of public services; land use and zoning; level of taxation and spending; and
regional, state and federal legislative proposals.
In addition to these regular commitments, Council members represent the City's interests
on various regional Boards and Commissions. For instance, Councilors are currently
Board members of the Spokane Transit Authority, the Regional Health District, the
Convention & Visitors Bureau and the International Trade Alliance. They also represent
the City at the state and national level, with a Councilor serving on the Board of the
Association of Washington Cities, and on the National League of Cities Information &
Technology Committee.
Page 3 of 13
They interact both formally and informally with other elected officials in the region,
representing Spokane Valley's interests on a broader level. Examples of current issues
include the future of wastewater treatment, regional emergency management, and a
regional approach to animal control.
The responsibilities of the Mayor and Council also include maintaining contact with the
community. They are active in community organizations and events such as the Spokane
Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, the Spokane Valley
Business Association and ValleyFest.
On a periodic basis, they hold Conversations with the Community, at various locations
around the city. During the school year, they also visit area high schools to discuss issues
of importance to Spokane Valley's youth. They regularly receive and respond to letters,
e-mails and telephone calls.
The Mayor and Council develop and deliver presentations to community organizations,
such as the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. They write articles and guest
editorials, and conduct press conferences and on-air interviews. They attend ribbon
cuttings, ground breakings, grand openings, open houses and graduations. At some of
these events they are simply in attendance, and at others they are writing and delivering
speeches or acting as master of ceremonies.
In addition to the above responsibilities, the Mayor manages the agenda and presides at
Council meetings. The Deputy Mayor assumes the responsibilities of the Mayor in his or
her absence.
Rationale for the Proposal
The City of Spokane Valley adopted the state-declared $500 per month for the Mayor and
$400 per month for Council until an independent salary commission could be appointed
to review the amounts. In many cases, this meant that Council members were paid in
effect less than half the minimum wage. The Commission members uniformly agreed,
that the amount was too low for the amount of time elected officials were obliged to
devote to the City.
The Salary Commission believes that the City should compensate its elected officials in
the form of a stipend - not a full salary reflecting the full value of the time and effort put
in by the Mayor and Council.
Every Commission member expressed appreciation for the work of each member of the
City Council. However, they want the basis for the Spokane Valley City Council to be
grounded in a sense of volunteerism, and a desire to serve the community.
The Commission recognized that a City Council member is never "off-duty." He or she
is approached by citizens not only at official events, but also in his or her every day life,
Page 4 of 13
such as at work, at the grocery store and at church. The Commission members feel this
accessibility is important to the community, and want it to continue.
While the Commission didn't feel it was appropriate to propose a full salary, they did feel
the City should compensate its elected officials at a higher stipend than they currently
receive, for the significant impact to their personal lives and that of their families.
The Commission looked at other benefits offered to the Mayor and Council, and the fact
that the City does not offer them a retirement benefit. They weighed this information as
they developed the proposal; however, they recognized that the scope of their work was
limited to the salary.
Looking at the ten comparable cities, the proposed salary schedule is less than the
average monthly salary for the Mayor and the Council members, and slightly above
average for the Deputy Mayor. It should be noted that only three of the seven cities paid
a different amount to the Deputy Mayor, than to their Council members. However, in
Spokane Valley's case, the Deputy Mayor does carry responsibilities in addition to that of
the Council members.
Salary Schedule Proposal
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission proposes the following salary
schedule for the City of Spokane Valley Mayor and Council:
Mayor $500 $1,200
Deputy Mayor $400 $1,000
Councilor $400 $900
The Commission recommends no automatic annual cost of living increase.
Pursuant to state law (RCW 35.21.015), this salary schedule shall become effective and
incorporated into the city budget without further action of the City Council or Salary
Commission, subject to a referendum of the people.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Gregory,
Chair of the Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
Page 5 of 13
APPENDIX I: Comparables
The Salary Commission selected as its comparables the ten cities closest in size to
Spokane Valley who also operated under the Council-Manager form of government
city Population Average time committed Compensation
Per month
Vancouver 145,300 90 hours per month is reported Mayor $1,885.00
for retirement service credits Council $1,260.00
Bellevue 111,500 Mayor $1,950.00
Council $1,650.00
Federal Way 83,890 Considered part time Mayor $1,375.00
employees Council $1,075.00
Yakima 73,040 Council 15-20 hours per week Mayor $1,043.95
Mayor 30 - 40 hours per week Deputy $800.37
Council $695.97
Lakewood 58,190 Mayor $900.00
Council $700.00
Kennewick 55,780 Mayor $1,19 1.00
Deputy $1,091.00
Council $992.00
Shoreline 53,421 # of hours reported to L&I per Mayor $875.00
month: Mayor 95; Deputy 78; Council $700.00
Council 60
Kirkland 45,770 Mayor $950.00
Council $650.00
Olympia 42,530 25 hours per week Mayor $933.40
Deputy $738.66
Council $656.08
Richland 39,350 Estimate 160 hours per month Mayor $1,125.00
for pay checks Council $875.00
Average - _ K Jill Mayor $1,223.00
Deputy $954.00
Council $925.00
Spokane Valley 83,950 I See below Mayor $500.00
Council $400.00
In comparison, the following estimates apply for Spokane Valley Council members:
• Mayor: 30 - 32 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 10 - 20 hours per
month for additional community commitments;
• Deputy Mayor: 20 - 25 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 12 - 32
hours per month for additional community commitments;
• Councilors (5): 18 - 45 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 5 - 80
hours per month for additional community commitments.
Page 6 of 13
APPENDIX II: Summary of Public Input Results
The Salary Commission took both a proactive and reactive approach to seeking
public input. Among the reactive approaches were the following:
• The meeting agendas and minutes were published on the City web site.
• The Commission meetings were held in a public setting, with public input
allowed at the beginning and the end of each meeting. A total of four
people attended the meetings.
In order to proactively seek public input, the Commission took the following
additional steps:
• Conducted interviews with the media to encourage citizens to call, e-mail
or write letters to the City to voice their opinions. As a result of the media
coverage, the City received thirteen e-mails, one mailed letter and eleven
telephone calls. Seven people spoke in favor of an increase, and eighteen
opposed an increase, at least at this time.
• Developed and handed out a brief written survey. About 35 responded,
and all respondents favored a salary increase for the Mayor and Council'.
• Asked individuals with whom they came in contact. Almost 100
individuals offered their opinion. The general feeling was surprise that so
much time and work was involved in.the completion of their jobs..Every person supported the idea of an increase in the payment of the Mayor, the
Deputy Mayor and the Council to a level that would retain people of
integrity and quality for the positions.
The Salary Commission members observed that people were more likely to support a
salary increase using one of the two direct communication approaches. The direct
approaches gave the Commission members the opportunity to describe the Mayor and
Council's responsibilities, and to tell them what the Council was currently being paid.
Virtually all of the citizens using these approaches supported some form of salary
increase. By contrast, about M% of those who offered their opinions by telephone, e-
mail or letter supported an increase.
Page 7 of 13
APPENDIX HI: Meeting Summaries
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Opportunity Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.
June 16, 2004 -Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Rod Grondel
Commission Members Absent: Dave Gregory
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m.
The Commission decided to defer election of a Chair and Vice Chair until the next
meeting, when all members would be present. They reviewed Ordinance 04-018, which
established the Commission.
After reviewing the 2003 Mayor and Council salary data compiled by the Association of
Washington Cities, the Commission decided to seek comparable information from the
following cities: Vancouver; Bellevue; Federal Way; Yakima; Lakewood; Kennewick;_
Shoreline; Kirkland; Olympia; and Richland.
These cities are the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley. Like Spokane Valley,
they operate under a Council-Manager form of government. The cities range in
population from 150,700 to 41,650.
The Commission also identified information they will seek from the Spokane Valley City
Council, to help compare their responsibilities to those of the other ten cities. Per
Ordinance 04-018,.that request will be made in writing.
The Commission decided to schedule public comment at the beginning and the end of
each meeting. There was no general public present at the June 16 meeting.
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Opportunity
Conference Room of Spokane Valley City Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Page 8 of 13
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Council Chambers, 4:30 p.m.
June 30, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. The Commission chose Dave Gregory as Chair, and Rod
Grondel as Vice Chair.
During the first public comment period, Bob Blum provided some general background
comments.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 16 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and discussed various background documents, including
RCW 35A; a table of information on. comparable cities (chosen at the last meeting using
population as a guide); information on the City of Vancouver's Salary; Commission; and
survey responses from Spokane Valley Council members. They requested information
on retirement and other benefits available to the Spokane Valley City Council.
Given the short timeframe of the task force, they agreed to each craft a proposal and
submit it by Wednesday morning, July 7. The proposal would address salary for the
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilors, and provide input on an escalator clause. Along
with the proposal, Commission members will describe how they came to their proposal,
i.e., what factors were most important to them in drawing a conclusion. Staff will
compile the information and provide it at the next meeting.
During the second public comment period, Bob Blum expressed how important it would
be for the Commission to describe the rationale behind its recommendations.
The next meeting was scheduled for July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference
Room at the Spokane Valley City Hall site (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Page 9 of 13
RCW 35A.01.040: Sufficiency of petitions. Page 1 of 2
RCW 35A.01.040
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall govern the sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or prayer intended by the circulators, signers or
sponsors to be presented and considered as one petition and containing the following essential elements when applicable, except that the
elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this subsection are essential for petitions referring or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are
directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or relief sought by petitioners and shall include a
reference to the applicable state statute or city ordinance, if any;
(b) If the petition initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof;
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an area for any purpose, an accurate legal description of
the area proposed for such action and if practical, a map of the area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the name and address of the signer and the date of
signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality and each sheet of petition paper having a space
thereon for signatures shall contain the text or prayer of the petition and the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name, or who knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or
signs a petition seeking an election when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition when he or she is otherwise not qualified to sign,
or who makes herein any false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the name and address of the signer and the date of
signing.
(3) The term "signer" means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
(4) To be sufficient a petition must contain valid signatures of qualified registered voters or property owners, as the case may be, in the
number required by the applicable statute or ordinance. Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer with whom the
petition is fled shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions
signed by property owners for determination of sufficiency. The officer or officers whose duty it is to determine the sufficiency of the petition
shall proceed to make such a determination with reasonable promptness and shall file with the officer receiving the petition for filing a
certificate slating the date upon which such determination was begun, which date shall be referred to as the terminal date. Additional pages of
one or more signatures may be added to the petition by filing the same with the appropriate filing officer prior to such terminal date. Any
signer of a filed petition may withdraw his or her signature by a written request for withdrawal filed with the receiving officer prior to such
terminal date. Such written request shall so sufficiently describe the petition as to make identification of the person and the petition certain.
The name of any person seeking to withdraw shall be signed exactly the same as contained on the petition and, after the filing of such
request for withdrawal, prior to the terminal date, the signature of any person seeking such withdrawal shall be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Petitions containing the required number of signatures shall be accepted as prima facie valid until their invalidity has been proved.
(6) A variation on petitions between the signatures on the petition and that on the voters permanent registration caused by the substitution
of initials instead of the first or middle names, or both, shall not invalidate the signature on the petition if the surname and handwriting are the
same.
(7) Signatures, including the original, of any person who has signed a petition two or more times shall be stricken.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.01.040 12/27/2006
RCW 35A.01.040: Sufficiency of petitions. Page 2 of2
(8) Signatures followed by a date of signing which is more than six months prior to the date of filing of the petition shall be stricken.
(9) When petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the determination shall be made by the county assessor. Where
validation of signatures to the petition is required, the following shall apply:
(a) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor, shall be sufficient without the signature of his or
herspouse;
(b) In the case of mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
(c) In the case of property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract purchaser, as shown by the records of the county auditor,
shall be deemed sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
(d) Any officer of a corporation owning land within the area involved who is duly authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf
of the corporation, may sign on behalf of such corporation, and shall attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws of such
corporation showing such authority;
(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a guardian has been appointed, the signature of the
executor, administrator, or guardian, as the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(f) When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner designated by the multiple owners is sufficient.
(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition shall do so in writing and transmit the written certificate
to the officer with whom the petition was originally filed.
12003 c 331 § 9: 1996 c 286 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 26; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.01.040.1
Notes:
Intent - Severability - Effective date - 2003 c 331: See notes following RCW 35.13.410.
Severability -1985 c 281: See RCW 35.10.905.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.01.040 12/27/2006
Dave -I just got word from the County election office that the number of registered voters
for the City of Spokane Valley on November 4, 2003 General Election was 41, 158.
So, a petition must have 6,173.7 or - 6,174.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Bainbridge
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:28 AM
To: Dave Mercier
Cc: Nina Regor
Subject: salary commission
Dave - the last day for the Salary Commission to file its schedule of salaries with me
is no later than August 2
According to the ordinance, the official filing date of the salary schedule is the
second date of publication
A petition must be filed with the city clerk within thirty days after the official filing
date of the salary schedule
According to RCW 35A.11.100 the # of signatures needed: 15% of the total # of
names of those listed as registered voters on the day of the last preceding general
election. The last preceding general election was November 2003. I have the number
of voters but not the number of those who were registered voters. 1 can get that # if
we need it or right away if you would like it.
Chris
Chapter 35A.11.100 RCW -The Washington State Legislature Page 1 of 1
About Us I Contact Us I E-mail Lists I Search I Hal
Legislature Home I Senate I House of Representatives
Inside the Legislature RCW TITLES. » TITLE-35A» CHAPTER-3-5.A.1 1 SECTION 35A.11.100
C*]Flnd Your Legislator 35A.11.090 « 35A.11.100 35A.11.110
RAParticipating in the
Process
RI-egislative Calendars RCW 35A.11.100
1*OIBlll Information initiative and referendum Exercise of powers.
r*Laws and Agency Rules
?Legislative Agencies Except as provided in RCW 35A.11,090, and except that the number of registered voter
5*11-egislative E-mail Lists sign a petition for initiative or referendum shall be fifteen percent of the total number of r
r*-]Kids Page persons listed as registered voters within the city on the day of the last preceding city ge
Outside the Legislature the powers of initiative and referendum in noncharter code cities shall be exercised in tf
forth for the commission form of government in RCW 35,17.240 through 35.17.360, as r
C*aWashington State hereafter amended.
History and Culture
Cx Congress-The other [1973 1st ex.s. c 81 § 3.1
Washington
Ci"4TV Washington NOTES:
N5Washington Courts
C*?Access WA Sufficiency of petition in code city: RCW 35A.01..040.
http://www.leg.wa.goviRCW/index.cfm?section=35A.11.100&fuseaction=section 7/12/2004
Page 1 of 2
RCW 35.21.015
Salary commissions.
(1) Salaries for elected officials of towns and cities may be set by salary commissions established in accordance with city charter or by
ordinance and in conformity with this section.
(2) The members of such commissions shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of a city charter, or as specified in this
subsection:
(a) Shall be appointed by the mayor with approval of the city council;
(b) May not be appointed to more than two terms;
(c) May only be removed during their terms of office for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a
disqualifying change of residence; and
(d) May not include any officer, official, or employee of the city or town or any of their immediate family members. "Immediate family
member" as used in this subsection means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official, or employee,
whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.
(3) Any change in salary shall be filed by the commission with the city clerk and shall become effective and incorporated into the city or
town budget without further action of the city council or salary commission.
(4) Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city or town elected officials, regardless of their terms of
office.
(5) Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent city or town elected officials at the
commencement of their next subsequent terms of office.
(6) Salary increases.and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the town or city in the same manner as a city
ordinance upon filing of such petition with the city clerk within thirty days after filing of the salary schedule. In the event of the filing of a
valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by vote of the people.
(7) Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city or town at the next following general or municipal
election occurring thirty days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the state Constitution, or
city charter, or laws generally applicable to referendum measures.
http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearchNiewHtml.asp?Action=Html&Item=O&X=729100613&p=1&X=729100618 7/29/2004
Page 2 of 2
(8) The action fixing the salary by a commission established in conformity with this section shall supersede any other provision of state
statute or city or town ordinance related to municipal budgets or to the fixing of salaries.
(9) Salaries for mayors and councilmembers established under an ordinance or charter provision in existence on July 22, 2001, that
substantially complies with this section shall remain in effect unless and until changed in accordance with such charter provision or
ordinance.
[2001 c 73 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings Intent 2001 c 73: "The legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Article XXX, section 1 of the state Constitution permits midterm salary increases for municipal officers who do not fix their own
compensation;
(2) The Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials established pursuant to Article XXVIII, section 1 of the state
Constitution with voter approval has assured that the compensation for state and county elected officials will be fair and certain, while
minimizing the dangers of midterm salary increases being used to influence those officers in the performance of their duties;
(3) The same public benefits of independent salary commissions should be extended to the setting of compensation of municipal elected
officers; and
(4) This act is intended to clarify the intent of the legislature that existing state law authorizes:
(a) The establishment of independent salary commissions to set the salaries of city or town elected officials, county commissioners, and
county councilmembers; and
(b) The authority of the voters of such cities, towns, and counties to review commission decisions to increase or decrease such salaries by
means of referendum." [2001 c 73 § 1.]
Severability 2001 c 73: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act
or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2001 c 73 § 6.]
http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearchNiewHtml.asp?Action=Html&Item=O&X=729100613&p=1&X=729100618 7/29/2004
SALARY COMMISSION
August 2: File deadline for commission to submit schedule of salaries
Publish the schedule 2 times, at least one week apart
Second publication of schedule is considered official filing date of
salary schedule
REFERENDUM PROCESS:
Petition must be filed with City Clerk within 30 days after official filing date
If referendum petition received, salary change not effective until approved by vote
Referendum submitted to voters at next following general or municipal election
occurring 30 days or more after petition is filed
(See ordinance 04-018 for verbiage for petition)
If goes to ballot, majority needed to repeal ordinance
IF NO REFERENDUM FILED:
Officials' salary adjustments effective as set in the schedule
Salary increases effective immediately regardless of terms of office
Any salary decrease effective at commencement of incumbent's next subsequent
term of office
SALARY COMMISSION
August 2: File deadline for commission to submit schedule of salaries
Publish the schedule 2 times, at least one week apart
Second publication of schedule is considered official filing date of
salary schedule
REFERENDUM PROCESS:
Petition must be filed with City Clerk within 30 days after official filing date
If referendum petition received, salary change not effective until approved by vote
Referendum submitted to voters at next following general or municipal election
occurring 30 days or more after petition is filed
(See ordinance 04-018 for verbiage for petition)
If goes to ballot, majority needed to repeal ordinance
IF NO REFERENDUM FILED:
Officials' salary adjustments effective as set in the schedule
Salary increases effective immediately regardless of terms of office
Any salary decrease effective at commencement of incumbent's next subsequent
term of office
SPOKANE VALLEY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL NOTICE
SALARY COMMISSION SCHEDULE
Notice is hereby given that the City of Spokane Valley Salary Commission was formed pursuant
to Washington State law and Spokane Valley City Ordinance 04-018. The purpose of the
Commission was to review and establish the salaries of the Mayor and Council. Ordinance 04-
018 stipulates that the Salary Commission file its schedule of salaries with the City Clerk no later
than August 2, 2004, that the schedule will be published twice, at least one week apart, in the
official newspaper of the City. The second date of publication, or August 13, 2004 shall be
considered the official filing date of the salary schedule.
The monthly salary schedule is as follows:
Current New
Mayor $500 $1,200
Deputy Mayor $400 $1,000
Councilor $400 $900
The Commission recommends no automatic annual cost of living increase.
Please note that the Commission's adopted salary schedule is subject to referendum petition by
the people of the City. A petition must be filed with the City Clerk within thirty (30) days after
the official filing date of the salary schedule. The deadline to file a petition with the City Clerk is
5:00 p.~ , local time, Friday, September 10, 2004.
(~nstine Bainbridge
Spokane Valley City Clerk
(509- 688-0177)
PUBLISH: August 6 and 13, 2004
!4 ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
a PAUL BRANDT
Manager
ii VICKY M. DALTON, AUDITOR
1033 W. Gardner Ave., Spokane, WA 99260-0025
SPOKANE COUNTY COURT HOUSE (509) 477.2320 • Fax: 477-6607 • TDD: 477-2333
September 23, 2004 RECE~VCD
Ms. Chris Bainbridge, City Clerk SEP 2 g 2004
City of Spokane Valley CITY
1177 E. Srae Avenue, kae Valley, Washington Suite 99206 CCITYCI ERKVALIEV
Spo
Re: Petitions Relating to Spokane Valley Salary Commission Submitted to the Spokane
County Auditor on September 13, 2004
Dear Ms. Bainbridge:
On September 13, 2004, you and Deputy City Attorney Cary P. Driskell delivered a letter to the Spokane
County Auditor's Office. The letter enclosed:
"...petitions turned in late Friday, September 10, 2004 to our City Clerk regarding the
Spokane Valley Salary Commission action...."
The Spokane County Election Department, as required by law, has reviewed the petitions for conformance
with the provisions of RCW 35A.29.170 and 35A.01.040. Those statutory provisions do not authorize the
Auditor's Office to consider the provisions within City of Spokane Valley Ordinance No. 04-018.
This correspondence is to formally advise the City of Spokane Valley that the petitions submitted meet the
sufficiency provisions within RCW 35A.29.170 and 35A.01.040. Enclosed with this correspondence is a
Petition Statistics Report which outlines in more detail the sufficiency of the signatures within the petitions
submitted. The number of valid signatures meet the minimum required under RCW 35A.11.100 regardless
of whether the terminology "last proceeding city general election" referenced there in is considered to be
the 2002 or 2003 general election.
Finally, I am certifying, as required under the provisions of RCW 35A.01.040, that the date the certification
process began was Monday, September 13, 2004.
Sincerely,
Vicky M. Icon
County Auditor
Attest:
aul E. Brandt - Elections Manager
Enclosure: Petition Statistics Report
.4
y
RCW 3 5. 21 CHAPTER Pagel of3
RCW 35.21.005
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall govern the sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or prayer intended by the circulators, signers or
sponsors to be presented and considered as one petition and containing the following essential elements when applicable, except that the
elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this subsection are essential for petitions referring or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are
directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or relief sought by petitioners and shall include a
reference to the applicable state statute or city ordinance, if any;
(b) :1fth:e:petifion initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof,
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an area for any purpose, an accurate legal description of
the area proposed for such action and if practical, a map of the area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the name and address of the signer and the date of signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality and each sheet of petition paper having a space
thereon for signatures shall contain the text or prayer of the petition and the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name, or who knowingly signs more than one of these
petitions, or signs a petition seeking an election when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition when he or she is otherwise
not qualified to sign, or who makes herein any false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
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RCW 35. 21 CHAPTER Page 2 of 3
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the name and address of the signer and the date of
signing.
(3) The term "signer" means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
(4) To be sufficient a petition must contain valid signatures of qualified registered voters or property owners, as the case may be, in the
number required by the applicable statute or ordinance. Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer with whom the
petition is filed shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions
signed by property owners for determination of sufficiency. The officer or officers whose duty it is to determine the sufficiency of the petition
shall proceed to make such a determination with reasonable promptness and shall file with the officer receiving the petition for filing a
certificate stating the date upon which such determination was begun, which date shall be referred to as the terminal date. Additional pages of
one or more signatures may be added to the petition by filing the same with the appropriate filing officer prior to such terminal date. Any
signer of a filed petition may withdraw his or her signature by a written request for withdrawal filed with the receiving officer prior to such
terminal date. Such written request shall so sufficiently describe the petition as to make identification of the person and the petition certain.
The name of any person seeking to withdraw shall be signed exactly the same as contained on the petition and, after the filing of such request
for withdrawal, prior to the terminal date, the signature of any person seeking such withdrawal shall be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Petitions containing the required number of signatures shall be accepted as prima facie valid until their invalidity has been proved.
(6) A variation on petitions between the signatures on the petition and that on the voter's permanent registration caused by the substitution
of initials instead of the first or middle names, or both, shall not invalidate the signature on the petition if the surname and handwriting are the
same.
(7) Signatures, including the original, of any person who has signed a petition two or more times shall be stricken.
(8) Signatures followed by a date of signing which is more than six months prior to the date of filing of the petition shall be stricken.
(9) When petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the determination shall be made by the county assessor. Where
validation of signatures to the petition is required, the following shall apply:
(a) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor, shall be sufficient without the signature of his or
her spouse;
(b) In the case of mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
(c) In the case of property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract purchaser, as shown by the records of the county auditor,
shall be deemed sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
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RCW 3 5. 21 CHAPTER Page 3 of 3
(d) Any officer of a corporation owning land within the area involved who is duly authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf
of the corporation, may sign on behalf of such corporation, and shall attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws of such
corporation showing such authority;
(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a guardian has been appointed, the signature of the
executor, administrator, or guardian, as the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(f) When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner designated by the multiple owners is sufficient.
(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition shall do so in writing and transmit the written
certificate to the officer with whom the petition was originally filed.
[2003 c 331 § 8; 1996 c 286 § 6.1
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RCW 35A.01.040
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall
govem the sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or
prayer intended by the circulators, signers or sponsors to be presented and considered as
one petition and containing the following essential elements when applicable, except that
the elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this subsection are essential for petitions referring
or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or
relief sought by petitioners and shall include a reference to the applicable state statute or
city ordinance, if any;
__-~(b)'If the petition initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof;
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an
area for any purpose, an accurate legal description of the area proposed for such action and
if practical, a map of the area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the
name and address of the signer and the date of signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality
and each sheet of petition paper having a space thereon for signatures shall contain the text
or prayer of the petition and the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name,
or who knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or signs a petition
seeking an election when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition
when he or she is otherwise not qualified to sign, or who makes herein any
false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the
name and address of the signer and the date of signing.
(3) The term "signer" means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
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Page 2 of 3
(4) To be sufficient a petition must contain valid signatures of qualified registered
voters or property owners, as the case may be, in the number required by the applicable
statute or ordinance. Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer
with whom the petition is filed shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions
signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions signed by property
owners for determination of sufficiency. The officer or officers whose duty it is to
determine the sufficiency of the petition shall proceed to make such a determination with
reasonable promptness and shall file with the officer receiving the petition for filing a
certificate stating the date upon which such determination was begun, which date shall be
referred to as the terminal date. Additional pages of one or more signatures may be added
to the petition by filing the same with the appropriate filing officer prior to such terminal
date. Any signer of a filed petition may withdraw his or her signature by a written request
for withdrawal filed with the receiving officer prior to such terminal date. Such written
request shall so sufficiently describe the petition as to make identification of the person
and the petition certain. The name of any person seeking to withdraw shall be signed
exactly the same as contained on the petition and, after the filing of such request for
withdrawal, prior to the terminal date, the signature of any person seeking such withdrawal
shall be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Petitions containing the required number of signatures shall be accepted as prima
facie valid until their invalidity has been proved.
(6) A variation on petitions between the signatures on the petition and that on the
voter's permanent registration caused by the substitution of initials instead of the first or
middle names, or both, shall not invalidate the signature on the petition if the surname and
handwriting are the same.
(7) Signatures, including the original, of any person who has signed a petition two or
more times shall be stricken.
(8) Signatures followed by a date of signing which is more than six months prior to the
date of filing of the petition shall be stricken.
(9) When petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the
determination shall be made by the county assessor. Where validation of signatures to the
petition is required, the following shall apply:
(a) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor,
shall be sufficient without the signature of his or her spouse;
(b) In the case of mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient,
without the signature of his or her spouse;
(c) In the case of property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract
purchaser, as shown by the records of the county auditor, shall be deemed sufficient,
without the signature of his or her spouse;
(d) Any officer of a corporation owning land within the area involved who is duly
authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf of the corporation, may sign on
behalf of such corporation, and shall attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the
bylaws of such corporation showing such authority;
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(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a
guardian has been appointed, the signature of the executor, administrator, or guardian, as
the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(f) When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner
designated by the multiple owners is sufficient.
(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition
shall do so in writing and transmit the written certificate to the officer with whom the
petition was originally filed.
[2003 c 331 § 9; 1996 c 286 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 26; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.01.040.]
NOTES:
Intent Severability Effective date 2003 c 331: See notes following RCW
35.13.410.
Severability 1985 c 281: See RCW 35.10.905.
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RCW 35A.29.170
Initiative and referendum petitions Suspension of effectiveness of legislative action.
Initiative and referendum petitions authorized to be filed under provisions of this title; or authorized by
charter, or authorized for code cities having the commission form of government as provided by chapter
35.17 RCW, shall be in substantial compliance with the provisions of RCW 35A.01.040 as to form and
content of the petition, insofar as such provisions are applicable; shall contain a true copy of a resolution
or ordinance sought to be referred to the voters; and must contain valid signatures of registered voters of
the code city in the number required by the applicable provision of this title. Except when otherwise
provided by statute, referendum petitions must be filed with the clerk of the legislative body of the
code city within ninety days after the passage of the resolution or ordinance sought to be referred to the
voters, or within such lesser number of days as may be authorized by statute or charter in order to
precede the effective date of an ordinance: PROVIDED, That nothing herein shall be construed to
abrogate or affect an exemption from initiative and/or referendum provided by a code city charter. The
clerk shall transmit the petition to the county auditor who shall determine the sufficiency of the petition
under the rules set forth in RCW 35A.01.040. When a referendum petition is filed with the clerk, the
legislative action sought to be referred to the voters shall be suspended from taking effect. Such
suspension shall terminate when: (1) There is a final determination of insufficiency or untimeliness of
the referendum petition; or (2) the legislative action so referred is approved by the voters at a
referendum election.
[1996 c 286 § 8; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.29.170.]
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RCW 29A.72.050
Ballot title Formulation, ballot display.
(1) The ballot title for an initiative to the people, an initiative to the legislature, a referendum bill, or a
referendum measure consists of: (a) A statement of the subject of the measure; (b) a concise description
of the measure; and (c) a question in the form prescribed in this section for the ballot measure in
question. The statement of the subject of a measure must be sufficiently broad to reflect the subject of
the measure, sufficiently precise to give notice of the measure's subject matter, and not exceed ten
words. The concise description must contain no more than thirty words, be a true and impartial
description of the measure's essential contents, clearly identify the proposition to be voted on, and not, to
the extent reasonably possible, create prejudice either for or against the measure.
(2) For an initiative to the people, or for an initiative to the legislature for which the legislature has not
proposed an alternative, the ballot title must be displayed on the ballot substantially as follows:
"Initiative Measure No.... concerns (statement of subject). This measure would (concise
description). Should this measure be enacted into law?
Yes
No r ,1
(3) For an initiative to the legislature for which the legislature has proposed an alternative, the ballot
title must be displayed on the ballot substantially as follows:
"Initiative Measure Nos.... and ...B concern (statement of subject).
Initiative Measure No.... would (concise description).
As an alternative, the legislature has proposed Initiative Measure No.... B, which would
(concise description).
1. Should either of these measures be enacted into law?
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Yes
No
2. Regardless of whether you voted yes or no above, if one of these measures is enacted,
which one should it be?
Measure No.
or
Measure No.
0
(4) For a referendum bill submitted to the people by the legislature, the ballot issue must be displayed
on the ballot substantially as follows:
"The legislature has passed Bill No.... concerning (statement of subject). This bill
would (concise description). Should this bill be:
Approved
Rejected "
(5) For a referendum measure by state voters on a bill the legislature has passed, the ballot issue must
be displayed on the ballot substantially as follows:
"The legislature passed Bill No.... concerning (statement of subject) and voters have
filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill. This bill would (concise description).
Should this bill be:
Approved
Rejected "
(6) The legislature may specify the statement of subject or concise description, or both, in a referendum
bill that it refers to the people. The legislature may specify the concise description for an alternative it
submits for an initiative to the legislature. If the legislature fails to specify these matters, the attorney
general shall prepare the material that was not specified. The statement of subject and concise
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Page 3 of 3
description as so provided must be included as part of the ballot title unless changed on appeal.
The attorney general shall specify the statement of subject and concise description for an initiative to
the people, an initiative to the legislature, and a referendum measure. The statement of subject and
concise description as so provided must be included as part of the ballot title unless changed on appeal.
[2003 c I I I § 1806. Prior: 2000 c 197 § I. Formerly RCW 29.79.035.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law 2000 c 197: "Part headings used in this act are not part of the law." [2000 c
197 § 17.]
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Mike Flanigan
From: Dave Mercier
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 8:13 AM
To: City Council
Cc: Nina Regor; Stan Schwartz
Subject: Salary Commission Data Request
Greetings:
I have been asked to supply some information about the statutory provisions governing salary commissions. Below is the
RCW section.
Dave
RCW 35.21.015
Salary commissions.
(1) Salaries for elected officials of towns and cities may be set by salary commissions established in accordance
with city charter or by ordinance and in conformity with this section.
(2) The members of such commissions shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of a city charter, or
as specified in this subsection:
(a)"Shall'be'appointedby_ the-mayor with approval'ofthe city council;-
(b) May not be appointed to more than two terms;
(c) May only be removed during their terms of office for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or
malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence; and
(d) May not include any officer, official, or employee of the city or town or any of their immediate family
members. "Immediate family member" as used in this subsection means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or
dependent relatives of the officer, official, or employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer,
official, or employee.
$(3)~Any cQ.hange3irrsalary-shall be'filed by°th-e7commission-with-the-city-clerk-and-shall_become.effective_-and
incorporated`mto the cityrortowri tiudgt without-further action of the citycouncil or'salary commssion~
(4) Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city or town elected officials,
regardless of their terms of office.
(5) Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent city or town elected
officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terns of office.
(6) Salary increases and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the town or city in the
same manner as a city ordinance upon filing of such petition with the city clerk within thirty days after filing of the
salary schedule. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go
into effect until approved by vote of the people.
2/12/2004
Page 2 of 2
(7) Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city or town at the next
following general or municipal election occurring thirty days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be
otherwise governed by the provisions of the state Constitution, or city charter, or laws generally applicable to
referendum measures.
(8) The action fixing the salary by a commission established in conformity with this section shall supersede any
other provision of state statute or city or town ordinance related to municipal budgets or to the fixing of salaries.
(9) Salaries for mayors and councilmembers established under an ordinance or charter provision in existence on
July 22, 2001, that substantially complies with this section shall remain in effect unless and until changed in
accordance with such charter provision or ordinance.
[2001 c 73 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings Intent 2001 c 73: "The legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Article XXX, section 1 of the state Constitution permits midterm salary increases for municipal officers who
do not fix their own compensation;
(2) The Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials established pursuant to Article
XXVIII, section 1 of the state Constitution with voter approval has assured that the compensation for state and
county elected officials will be fair and certain, while minimizing the dangers of midterm salary increases being
used to influence those officers in the performance of their duties;
(3) The same public benefits of independent salary commissions should be extended to the setting of
compensation of municipal elected officers; and
(4) This act is intended to clarify the intent of the legislature that existing state law authorizes:
(a) The establishment of independent salary commissions to set the salaries of city or town elected officials,
county commissioners, and county councilmembers; and
(b) The authority of the voters of such cities, towns, and counties to review commission decisions to increase or
decrease such salaries by means of referendum." [2001 c 73 § 1.]
Severability - 2001 c 73: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held
invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not
affected." [2001 c 73 § 6.]
2/12/2004
2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
JOB TITLE: Mayor and Councllmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE: The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
d
4 ^s
Jurisdiction Mayor's Compensation Councilmembers' Compensation
E[4': Seattle (571,900) $11,5731month $78301month
Spokane' (197,400) $9092/month $15001month
Tacoma (196,300) $5786/month $26221month
Vancouver (150,700) $18851month $1260/month
= Bellevue (116,400) $19501month $1650/month
Everett (95,470) $102361month $16761month
Kent (84,210) $8448/month $1137/month
Federal Way (83,500) $900/month $750/month
Spokane Valley' (82,005) $6001month - $4001month
Yakima* (79,220) $1044/month $696/month
Bellingham (69,850) $86991month $1450/month
Lakewood (56,940) $900/month - $7001month
Kennewick' (57,900) $1191/month $9921monlh
Renton (54,900) $8846/month $950/month
Shoreline (52,730) $875/month $700/month
Redmond (46,480) $6875/month $8001month
Kirkland (45,630) $950/month $650/month
Auburn (45,355) $8468/month $800/month
Olympia (42,860) $933/month $621/month
Richland' (41,650) $10751month $825/month
Edmonds (39,580) $7000/month $350/month, $50/meeting, max of 8 meetings/month .
Bremerton (38,730) $69001month $750/month
Pasco` (37,580) $976/month $7591month
Sammamish (35,930) $9501month $8501month
Puyallup (35,490) $11001month $660/month
Longview (35,290) $850/month $4501month
Lynnwood (34,500) $66431month $725/month, $125/meeting, council president $200 more
Lacey (32,240) $925/month $8251month
Burien (31,480) $750/month $6001month
Bothell (30,910) $700/month $500/month .
University Place (30,720) $12001month $1000/month -
Walla Walla' (29,710) $350/month $300/month
Des Moines (29,120) $350/meeting, maximum of 36 meetings/year $2501meeting, maximum of 36 meetings/year
Wenatchee' (28,470) $2333/month $450/month
Page 39
2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
JOB TITLE: Mayor and Councilmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE: The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers maybe given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
Jurisdiction Mayors Compensation Councllmembers' Compensation
Marysville (28,370) $50531month $400/month
Mount Vernon (27,060) $6611/month $6001month
Pullman' (25,300) $1250/month $300/month
SeaTac(25,100) $1,000/month $8001month
Mercer Island (21,840) $2001month $100/month
Bainbridge Island (21,350) $4182/month - $600/month
Oak Harbor (20,570) $30001month $4251month
Mountlake Terrace (20,380) $1000/month $800/month
Kenmore (19,200) $5001month $400/month
Mukilteo (19,190) $1800/month $500/month -
Port Angeles (1 8,470) $5001month $350/month
Tukwila (17,230) - $65001month $685/month
Aberdeen (16,320) $7821month $282/month
Ellensburg' (15,940) $5001month $2501month
Moses Lake' (15,730) $700/month $300/month
Maple Valley (15,730) $6501month $425/month
Monroe (15,160) $13001month $100 per meeting, maximum of $400 per month
Anacortes (15,110) $6626/month $800/month
Issaquah (15,110) $40801month $700/month
Centralia (15,110) $400/month $200/month
Covington (14,850) $5001month $450/month
Arlington (14,330) $15001month + $50 per meeting up to 15 meetings per month $2001meeting, max of $4001month, + $501extra mtg, max of 5
Sunnyside' (14,300) $200/month, $401meeting, max 7 meetings/month $40/meeting, max 7 meetings/month
Camas (14,200) $15001month $5001month
Bonney Lake (12,950) $800/month $400/month
Lake Forest Park (12,750) $20001month $400/month
Tumwater (12,740) $1200/month $5001month
Battle Ground (12,560) $450/month $3001month
Mill Creek (12,260) $700/month $500/month
Kelso (11,830) $400/month $200/month
Enumclaw (11,140) $1000/month $3251month
Woodinville (9,905) $700/month _ $6001month -
Washougal (9,775) $618/month $2331month`
Lynden(9,740) $1500/month $100/meeting
;i
Sy Y
Page 40 ry
is
2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
JOB TITLE: Mayor and Councilmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE: The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
Jurisdiction Mayor's Compensation Councilmembers' Compensation
Cheney (9,470) $875/month $310/month
Edgewood (9,405) $188/month - $150/month
West Richland' (9,355) $550/month $3501month
Ferndale (9,155) - $10001month $200/month
Sedro-Woolley (9,080) $1000/month $300/month
Toppenish' (8,940) $83/meeting, maximum of $498/month $641meeting, maximum of $384/month
Hoquiam (8,855) $750/month - $230/month
Sumner (8,780) $1000/month $5001month
Snohomish (8,640) $500/month $200/month
Shelton (8,545) $1300/month +$70/meeting, not to exceed $25,400 annually $13001mo + $70/mtg, not to exceed $25,400 annually
Grandview' (8,475) $450/month $257/month
Port Townsend (8,430) $10001month 2501month
Newcastle (8,320) $4381month $350/month
College Place' (8,165) $5001month $125/month
East Wenatchee' (8,140) $1700/month $400/month
Port Orchard (7,910) $1376/month $374/meeting, 2 meetings/month
Burlington (7,315) $15381month $3001month 1s14-yr term, $600/month successive terms
Clarkston' (7,290) $500/month $1501month
Poulsbo (7,010) $45921month $5001month
Chehalis (7,010) $150/month $1001month
Lake Stevens (6,910) $1200/month $3001month + $50 mtg, max of 4 mtgs per month
Ephrata' (6,855) $500/month $2001month
Gig Harbor (6,655) $9231month $254/month
Selah' (6,500) $520/month - $2551month
Brier (6,450) $10001month, plus $35/meeting up to 7 meetings per month $150/month
Normandy Park (6,345) No compensation No compensation
Steilacoom (6,120) $500/month $150/month
Milton (6,025) $15001month $400/month
Othello' (5,970) $5001month $250/month
Fircrest(5,935) $1501meeting $100/meeting
Union Gap' (5,665) $6001month $400/month
Pacific (5,665) $750/month $2001month
Duvall (5,460) $1000/month $250/month
Quincy* (5,165) $5001month $250/month
Page 41
2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
JOB TITLE: Mayor and Councilmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE: The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
Jurisdiction Mayor's Compensation Councilmembers' Compensation
Colville' (4,965) $1000/month $50/meeting
Prosser' (4,940) $2911month $40/meeting
Fife (4,905) $300/month $300/month
Snoqualmie (4,785) $1667/month $250/month
Omak' (4,705) $10001month $501meeting
North Bend (4,680) $1200/month $400/month
Liberty Lake' (4,640) $750/month $250/month
Airway Heights' (4,590) $500/month - $300/month
Wapato' (4,525) $833/month No compensation
Buckley (4,505) $200/month $100/month
Sequim (4,440) $250/month, $201meeting, max of $330/month $1501month, $20/meeting, max of $2301month
Orting (4,295) $10001month $25/meeting, maximum of $501month
Medical Lake' (4,215) $700/month $75/regular meeting, $25/committee meeting, $200/month maximum
Stanwood (4,190) $750/month $751council meeting, $30/workshop or committee meetings
Sultan (4,095) $5001month $150/month
Ocean Shores (4,065) $5001month $350/month
Woodland (4,045) $800/month $1501month, $25/meeting, maximum $250/month
Blaine (4,025) $150/meeting, maximum of $300/month $1501meeting, maximum of $3001month
Black Diamond (3,995) $5001month $1601month
Yelm (3,830) $10001month $175/month .
DuPont (3,685) $600/month _ $150/month
Goldendale' (3,650) $1000/month - $501meeting, maximum of $100/month
Chelan' (3,600) $1226/month $400/month
Montesano (3,345) $5501month $200/month
Connell' (3,190) $300/month - $100/month +°4
Forks (3,125) No compensation No compensation
Elma (3,060) $2751month $150/month
Deer Park' (3,055) $1000/month $100/month
Mattawa' (3,025) $500/month $45/meeting, maximum of $901month r
Cashmere' (2,975) $400/month $1001month Y
Medina (2,970) No compensation - No compensation
Raymond (2,960) $371/month $247/month g
Granite Falls (2,915) $500/month $1001month -
Clyde Hill (2,830) $100/month, plus $100/meeting up to 30 meetings per year $50/meeting
Page 42
r : f 2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
OB~TITLE,: Mayor and Councilmember
JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given .a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
Jd{~~ I
'.y till diction Mayors Compensation Councilmembers' Compensation.
Colfa%.t(2,825) $525/month $100/month
nton„City', (2,790) $7501month $50/council meeting, maximum of $100/month, $20/committe meeting
Deyton0.(2,715 $4001month $150/month
y O~agger':(2,710) $3001month _ $12/meeting, maximum of $48/month
r ,Alyona(2,560) $8001month $2501month
Wa~iden*,,(2,540) - $400/month $40/meeting, maximum $80/month
Zlllafi'2,495) $450/month
$75/month
Okandgan'(2,450) $7501month $100/month
' C,pwelah' (2,250) $5591month
$50/month
Whlle.Salmon* (2,220) $300/month $75/month
' r wsler' (2,200) $5001month
)v;.,, $30/meeting
1,;Rldgefield (2,185) $100/meeting, maximum of 2 meetings a month $50/meeting, maximum of 2 meetings a month
al~((CeslleRock (2,140) $150/month $20/meeting, maximum of $80/month
ya~Weslport (2,130) $450/month $250/month
.k Leavenworth' (2,115) $586/month $751meeting, maximum two meetings a month
, toriville (2,095) - $1322/month $25/meeting
,G61d Bar (2,075) $300/month
a~rT?µ,_, $100/month
Bridgepod'(2,070) $6001month .$15/meeting
r
Mablon' (2,045) $30/meeting, $120/month $20/meeting, maximum of $80/month
Friday Harbor (2,040) $1301meeting, maximum of 4 meetings/month $75/meeting, maximum of 4 meetings/month
Everson (2,030) $750/month $100/month r_.Newport' (1,965) $7001month $50/meeting, maximum of $200/month
J<"Kelama (1,935) $1501month $501month
arnation (1,905) $400/month $200/month
La Center (1,855) $300/month
No compensation _
f Royal City* (1,815) $490/month $40/meeting
outh Bend (1,775) $400/month
$120/month
k ~Cle Elum' (1,775) $400/month $100/month
a
Coupeville (1,745) $2228/month No compensation
Tri 'Ritzville' (1,735) $200 1st year/$300 2nd year/$400 subsequent years $651meeting, 2 meetings/month
'Soap Lake* (1,730)
$600/month $70/month
"Davenport' (1,690) $625/month $40/meeting
Aroville' (1,675) $450/month $75/meeting, maximum of $150/month
;t5 •-,MilNmod* (1,655) $600/month $40/meeting, maximum of $801month
Page 43
2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
JOB TITLE: Mayor and Councilmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE: The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
Jurisdiction Mayor's Compensation Councilmembers' Compensation
Cosmopolis (1,630) $225/month $1501month
Kettle Falls' (1,535) $400/month $25/meeting
Rainier (1,515) $450/month $60/month
Pomeroy' (1,515) $1501month $80/month
Tenino (1,495) $300/month No compensation
McCleary (1,420) $200/month $50/month
Darrington (1,385) $400/month $35/meeting
Long Beach (1,345) $500/month $300/month
Winlock (1,340) No compensation No compensation
Napavine (1,330) No compensation No compensation
Waitsburg' (1,210) $50/meeting, maximum of 3 meetings per month $10/meeting, maximum of 2 meeting/month
Stevenson' (1,210) $300/month $100/meeting
Tieton' (1,185) $200/month $25/meeting, maximum of $50/month
Waterville* (1,175) $4751month $351meeting
Kittitas' (1,120) $500/month $25/regular meeting, 2 regular meetings/month
Yacolt (1,115) $400/month $251meeting
Asotin' (1,115) $100 per meeting, maximum of $200/month $751meeting maximum of $150 per month
Woodway (1,050) No compensation No compensation
Morton (1,025) $4001month - $50/meeting or $100/month
Roslyn' (1,020) $300/month $30/meeting, maximum $60/month
Coulee Dam' (1,015) $1201month $50/month
Entiat' (1,010) $400/month $55/meeting, $110/month maximum
Palouse' (1,010) $200/month $60/month
Tonasket' (1,005) $350/month $501meeting, maximum of $1501month
Langley (1,005) $1200/month $50/month
Sumas (1,002) $5001month $50/meeting, maximum of $100/month
Yarrow Point (1,000) $1000/month No compensation
Republic' (975) $150/month No compensation
Electric City' (955) No compensation No compensation
Twisp' (955) $400/month $40/month
Ilwaco (940) $300/month $100/month
Odessa' (930) $1001month - $301month
Grand Coulee' (920) $400/month $40/meeting, maximum of 3 meetings per month
Nooksack (902) $7501month, $150/month travel expense $150/month
Page 44
t ~ors f 2003 Salary Data = Cities & Towns
JOB TITIL :Mayor and Councilmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
"4RN3146TE.lThe amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
1p1 „r~ ~a
t ~1~'ry~ 4 1,4
urisdiction Mayor's Compensation Councilmembers' Compensation
' Wllbur'.(880) $100/month $20/meeting, maximum of $40/month
Roy870) ! $200/month $251meeting, maximum of 2 meetings/month
k Rock Island' (865) $350/month, $50/each additional official meeting $35/meeting
r,Moxaa (850) $2001month $60/month .
-,((;;.Tekoa".(820) $1001month $40/month
1COncrele,(780) $20/meeting $20/meeting
6 Le Conner(760) $35/meeting $25/meeting
y
,Rusloq(745) $500/month $301month
"<g~Nb6 hbs*(730) $10201month $20/meeting
ledo (685) $50/meeting, maximum of $1001month $25/meeting, maximum of $50/month
u+'~i0akvllle (680) 820/month $201month
a Pe.EIf (660) $100/month $20/month
Catbonado (655) $251regular meeting, $10/additional $15/regular meeting, $7.50/additional
..,s ,Bingen' (655) $300/month $60/month
atr"".
:Rosalia' (650) $600/month $80/month
' sr'.,,,Bucoda (645) No compensation No compensation
a;
1 ,'Albion' (620) $100/month No compensation
W1 ik}.,Harrah'(620) $250/month
No compensation
odh Bonneville' (615) $535/month - No compensation
ftFaleros' (615) $350/month $50/month
Ga ield' (610) $75/month $251meeting, max $501month
a L: .Nader (610) No compensation No compensation
eardan' (595) No compensation No compensation
'•Coulee City' (590) $201meeting, max of $401month $10/meeting, max of $201month
~x
Fairfield' (586) $62.50/meeting, maximum $1500/year $50/meeting, maximum of $1200/year
r Lind' (575) $50/meeting $30/meeting
4 South Cie Elum' (560) $1751month $125/month
Calhlamel(560) $125/month $50/month
^ Rockford' (533) $751reg meeting, $251spec meeting, max $1501month $201meeting, max $401month
r ` George' (525) No compensation No compensation
` St. John' (518) No compensation No compensation
Sprague*(490) 81501month $501month
Mossyrock (485) $200/month $20/meeting, max 2 meetings/month
Hunts Point (445) No compensation No compensation
s
,i
Page 45
2003 Salary Data - Cities & Towns
JOB TITLE: Mayor and Councilmember JOB CODE: 100 and 110
NOTE: The amount of compensation shown is set by ordinance. Some councilmembers may be given a lesser amount for their current terms of service.
Jurisdiction Mayor's Compensation Counclimembers' Compensation
lone' (440) $30/meeting $30/meeting .
South Prairie (440) $5/month $5/month
Mesa' (440) $150/month $10/meeting, maximum $40/month
Harrington' (434) $200/month No compensation
Lyman (425) $601meeting $20/meeting
Wilkeson (420) $151meeting, max of 2 meetings/month $10/ meeting, max of 2 meetings/month
Oakesdale' (415) $125/month $60/month
Callon' (395) $1600/year $3001year
Winthrop' (360) $5501month $35/meeting, $10/special meeting, maximum $90/month
Endicott' (355) $25/meeting $151meeting
Uniontown' (335) $50/month .$10/meeting
Mansfield' (320) $60/meeting $301meeting
Prescott' (310) $50/month $20/month
Beaux Arts Village (302) No compensation No compensation
Almira' (295) $1001month $25/meeting, maximum 2 meetings/month
Spangle' (275) $50 for 1 meeting, $10 for additional $30 for 1 meeting, $10 for additional
Northport' (270) $1001month $5/month
Washtucna' (250) $300/month $20/month
Metaline Falls` (220) $75/meeting $251meeting
Skykomish (210) $501month No compensation
Nespelem' (210) No compensation No compensation
Cusick' (205) $50/month $35/month
Latah' (194) $100/month $35/meeting '
Marcus' (169) $1/meeting $0.50/meeting
Index (160) No compensation No compensation
Waverly' (138) $7801year $420/year
Starbuck' (130) $25/meeting, 1.2 mtgs per month $15/meeting, 1-2 mtgs per month
Lamont' (105) No compensation No compensation
Krupp' (65) $5/meeting $5/meeting
Page 46
i
+i
RCW 35A.01.040: Sufficiency of petitions. Page 1 of 2
RCW 35A.01.040
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall govern the sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or prayer intended by the circulators, signers or
sponsors to be presented and considered as one petition and containing the following essential elements when applicable, except that the
elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this subsection are essential for petitions referring or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are
directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or relief sought by petitioners and shall include a
reference to the applicable state statute or city ordinance, if any;
(b) If the petition initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof;
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an area for any purpose, an accurate legal description of
the area proposed for such action and if practical, a map of the area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the name and address of the signer and the date of
signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality and each sheet of petition paper having a space
thereon for signatures shall contain the text or prayer of the petition and the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name, or who knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or
signs a petition seeking an election when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition when. he or she is otherwise not qualified to sign,
or who makes herein any false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the name and address of the signer and the date of
signing.
(3) The term "signer' means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
(4) To be sufficient a petition must contain valid signatures of qualified registered voters or property owners, as the case may be, in the
number required by the applicable statute or ordinance. Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer with whom the
petition is filed shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions
signed by property owners for determination of sufficiency. The officer or officers whose duty it is to determine the sufficiency of the petition
shall proceed to make such a determination with reasonable promptness and shall file with the officer receiving the petition for filing a
certificate stating the date upon which such determination was begun, which date shall be referred to as the terminal date. Additional pages of
one or more signatures may be added to the petition by filing the same with the appropriate filing officer prior to such terminal date. Any
signer of a filed petition may withdraw his or her signature by a written request for withdrawal fled with the receiving officer prior to such
terminal date. Such written request shall so sufficiently describe the petition as to make identification of the person and the petition certain.
The name of any person seeking to withdraw shall be signed exactly the same as contained on the petition and, after the filing of such
request for withdrawal, prior to the terminal date, the signature of any person seeking such withdrawal shall be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Petitions containing the required number of signatures shall be accepted as prima facie valid until their invalidity has been proved.
(6) A variation on petitions between the signatures on the petition and that on the voter's permanent registration caused by the substitution
of initials instead of the first or middle names, or both, shall not invalidate the signature on the petition if the surname and handwriting are the
same.
(7) Signatures, including the original, of any person who has signed a petition two or more times shall be stricken.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.01.040 12/7/2006
RCW 35A.01.040: Sufficiency of petitions. Page 2 of 2
(8) Signatures followed by a date of signing which is more than six months prior to the date of filing of the petition shall be stricken.
(9) When petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the determination shall be made by the county assessor. Where
validation of signatures to the petition is required, the following shall apply:
(a) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor, shall be sufficient without the signature of his or
her spouse;
(b) In the case of mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
(c) In the case of property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract purchaser, as shown by the records of the county auditor,
shall be deemed sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
(d) Any officer of a corporation owning land within the area involved who is duly authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf
of the corporation, may sign on behalf of such corporation, and shall attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws of such
corporation showing such authority;
(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a guardian has been appointed, the signature of the
executor, administrator, or guardian, as the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(0 When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner designated by the multiple owners is sufficient.
(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition shall do so in writing and transmit the written certificate
to the officer with whom the petition was originally fled.
[2003 c 331 § 9; 1996 c286 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 26; 1967 ex. s. c 119 § 35A.01.040.1
Notes:
Intent Severability Effective date 2003 c 331: See notes following RCW 35.13.410.
Severability --1985 c 281: See RCW 35.10.905.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.01.040 12/7/2006
SPOKANE Processed: 09/22/2004 4:55 PM
Printed: 09122/2004 4:56 PM
Petition Statistics Report
SPOKANE VALLEY
Signature Requirements: 6,372 eligible registrants in the entire county
Total Pages: 810
Total Lines: 7,837
Valid Signatures: 6421
Percent Needed: -0.77%
Percent Processed: 100.77%
Signatures Needed: 6372
Invalid Signatures: 1416
Number Percent
Status Reason Processed Processed
ACCEPTED 6421 81.93%
PENDING 6 .08%
PENDING ADDRESS MISMATCH 207 2.64%
PENDING NOT REGISTERED 1 .01%
PENDING NO SIGNATURE 10 .13%
PENDING SIGNATURE DOES NOT MATCH 10 .13%
REJECTED ADDRESS MISMATCH 37 .47%
REJECTED DUPLICATE 52 .66%
REJECTED ILLEGIBLE PRINTING 54 .69%
REJECTED NAME CHANGE 2 .03%
REJECTED NAME WITHDREW 2 .03%
REJECTED NO ADDRESS 15 .19%
REJECTED NOT IN DISTRICT 294 3.75%
REJECTED NOT REGISTERED 605 7.72%
REJECTED NO SIGNATURE 8 .1%
REJECTED SIGNATURE PRINTED 47 .6%
REJECTED SIGNATURE DOES NOT MATCH 66 .84%
Percent of Invalids Pending: 16,63"/
Percent of Invalids Rejected: 83.47%
Copyright @ 2004 Election Systems and Software, Inc. Page 1 of 1
09/23/2004 10:21 5094776607 SPOK CO ELECTION PAGE 01
Facsimile
f°F d h
yl~ y Spokane County Elections Office
1033 W. Gardner Ave.
Spokane, WA 99260
Phone (509) 477-2320 Fax (509) 477-6670
Date: 9/23/04 Total Pages: 3
To: Chris Bainbridge
Organization: City of Spokane Valley
Telephone: 921-1000
Fax Telephone: 688-0194
From: Vicky M. Dalton, CPA
Organization: Spokane County Elections - Auditor's Office
Telephone: 477-2320
Fax Telephone: 477-6607
Note: The information in this fax is privileged and confidential. It is intended only for the use f the recipient named
above (or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient). If you rec 've this in error, you
are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is s 'ctly prohibited. If
you have received this message in error, please notify us by telephone immediately and return the original message
to us via US Postal Service. We will be happy to reimburse,youu for any costs. Thank you.
I~
09/23/2004 10:21 5094776607 SPOK CO ELECTION PAGE 02
ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
PAUL BRANDT
Manager
VICKY M: DALTON, AUD TOR
R Mr~:W... 1033 W. Gardner Ave., Spokane, W 99260-0025
(509) 477-2320 • Fax: 477-6607 • TOD: 477.2333
,r PORARE COOR,Y COURT RORie
September 23, 2004
Ms. Chtis Bainbridge. City Clerk
City of Spokane Valley
11707 E. Sprague Avenue. Suite 106
Spokane Valley, Washington 99206
Re: Petitions Relating to Spokane Valley Salary Commission Submitted to the Spokan
County Auditor on September 13, 2004
Dear Ms. Bainbridge:
On September 13, 2004, you and Deputy City Attorney Cary P. Driskell delivered a lets r to the Spokane
County Auditor's Office. The letter enclosed:
`...petitions turned in late Friday, September 10, 2004 to our City Clerk regar ing the
Spokane Valley Salary Commission action...."
The Spokane County Election Department, as required by law, has reviewed the petition for conformance
with the provisions of RCW 35A.29.170 and 35A.01.040. Those statutory provisions do not authorize the
Auditor's Office to consider the provisions within City of Spokane Valley Ordinance No. 04-Olg.
This correspondence is to formally advise the City of Spokane Valley that the petitions submitted meet the
sufficiency provisions within RCW 35A.29.170 and 35A.01.040. Enclosed with this correspondence is a
Petition Statistics Report which outlines in more detail the sufficiency of the signatures within the petitions
submitted. The number of valid signatures meet the minimum required under RCW 35A.h 1.100 regardless
of whether the terminology "last proceeding city general election" referenced there in is~ considered to be
the 2002 or 2003 general election.
Finally, I am certifying, as required under the provisions of RCW 35A.01.040, that the dale the certification
process began was Monday, September 13, 2004.
Sincerely.
Vicky M. ton
County Auditor
Attest: 4.
Paul E. Brandt - Elections Manager
Enclosure: Petition Statistics Report -
09/23/2004 10:21 5094776607 SPOK CO ELECTION _ PAGE 03
SPOKANE Pr, tessed: 0922/20044:55 PM
Pdntad: 092212004 4:56 PM
Petition Statistics Report
SPOKANE VALLEY
Signature Requirements: 6.372 sllglble registrants in the entire county
Total Pages: 810
Total Lines: 7,837
Valid Signatures: 6421
Percent Needed: -0.77%
Percent Processed: 100.77%
Signatures Needed: 6372
Invalid Signatures: 1416
Number Percent
Status Reason Processed Processed
ACCEPTED 6421 81.93%
PENDING 6 .08%
PENDING ADDRESS MISMATCH 207 2.64%
PENDING NOTREGISTERED 1 .01%
PENDING NO SIGNATURE 10 .13%
PENDING SIGNATURE DOES NOT MATCH 10 .13%
REJECTED ADDRESS MISMATCH 37 .47%
REJECTED DUPLICATE 52 .66%
REJECTED ILLEGIBLE PRINTING 54 .69%
REJECTED NAME CHANGE 2 .03%
REJECTED NAME WITHDREW 2 .03%
REJECTED NO ADDRESS 15 .196A
REJECTED NOT IN DISTRICT 294 3.75%
REJECTED NOT REGISTERED 605 7.72%
REJECTED NO SIGNATURE 8 .1%
REJECTED SIGNATURE PRINTED 47 .6%
REJECTED SIGNATURE DOES NOT MATCH 68 .64%
Percent of Invalids Pending: 16.63%
Percent of Invalids Rejected: 83.47%
Copyright ® 2004 Election Systems and Software, Inc. Page 1 of 1
Salary Schedule Proposal
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission proposes the following
salary schedule for the City of Spokane Valley Mayor and Council:
Position Current Monthly Proposed; Monthly
Salary Salary
Mayor $500 $11200
Deputy Mayor $400 $1,00
Councilor $400 $ 900
The Commission recommends no automatic annual cost of living increase.
Pursuant to state law (RCW 35.21.015), this salary schedule shall become
effective and incorporated into the city budget without further action of the
City Council or Salary Commission, subject to a referendum of the people.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Gregory,
Chair of the Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
Page 1 of 2
RCW 35.21.015
Salary commissions.
(1) Salaries for elected officials of towns and cities may be set by salary commissions
established in accordance with city charter or by ordinance and in conformity with this
section.
(2) The members of such commissions shall be appointed in accordance with the
provisions of a city charter, or as specified in this subsection:
(a) Shall be appointed by the mayor with approval of the city council;
(b) May not be appointed to more than two terms;
(c) May only be removed during their terms of office for cause of incapacity,
incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of
residence; and
(d) May not include any officer, official, or employee of the city or town or any of their
immediate family members. "Immediate family member" as used in this subsection means
the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official, or
employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.
(3) Any change in salary shall be filed by the commission with the city clerk and shall
become effective and incorporated into the city or town budget without further action of
the city council or salary commission.
(4) Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city or
town elected officials, regardless of their terms of office.
(5) Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to
incumbent city or town elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent
terms of office.
(6) Salary increases and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people
of the town or city in the same manner as a city ordinance upon filing of such petition with
the city clerk within thirty days after filing of the salary schedule. In the event of the filing
of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until
approved by vote of the people.
(7) Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city
or town at the next following general or municipal election occurring thirty days or more
after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the state
Constitution, or city charter, or laws generally applicable to referendum measures.
(8) The action fixing the salary by a commission established in conformity with this
section shall supersede any other provision of state statute or city or town ordinance
related to municipal budgets or to the fixing of salaries.
(9) Salaries for mayors and councilmembers established under an ordinance or charter
provision in existence on July 22, 2001, that substantially complies with this section shall
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remain in effect unless and until changed in accordance with such charter provision or
ordinance.
[2001 c 73 § 4.1
NOTES:
Findings Intent 2001 c 73: "The legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Article XXX, section I of the state Constitution permits midterm salary increases
for municipal officers who do not fix their own compensation;
(2) The Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials established
pursuant to Article XXVIII, section 1 of the state Constitution with voter approval has
assured that the compensation for state and county elected officials will be fair and certain,
while minimizing the dangers of midterm salary increases being used to influence those
officers in the performance of their duties;
(3) The same public benefits of independent salary commissions should be extended to
the setting of compensation of municipal elected officers; and
(4) This act is intended to clarify the intent of the legislature that existing state law
authorizes:
(a) The establishment of independent salary commissions to set the salaries of city or
town elected officials, county commissioners, and county councilmembers; and
(b) The authority of the voters of such cities, towns, and counties to review commission
decisions to increase or decrease such salaries by means of referendum." [2001 c 73 § 1.]
Severability 2001 c 73: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person
or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision
to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2001 c 73 § 6.]
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RCW 35A.29.170
Initiative and referendum petitions Suspension of effectiveness of legislative action.
Initiative and referendum petitions authorized to be filed under provisions of this title, or
authorized by charter, or authorized for code cities having the commission form of
government as provided by chapter 35.17 RCW, shall be in substantial compliance with
the provisions of RCW 35A.01.040 as to form and content of the petition, insofar as such
provisions are applicable; shall contain a true copy of a resolution or ordinance sought to
be referred to the voters; and must contain valid signatures of registered voters of the code
city in the number required by the applicable provision of this title. Except when otherwise
provided by statute, referendum petitions must be filed with the clerk of the legislative
body of the code city within ninety days after the passage of the resolution or ordinance
sought to be referred to the voters, or within such lesser number of days as may be
authorized by statute or charter in order to precede the effective date of an ordinance:
PROVIDED, That nothing herein shall be construed to abrogate or affect an exemption
from initiative and/or referendum provided by a code city charter. The clerk shall transmit
the petition to the county auditor who shall determine the sufficiency of the petition under
the rules set forth in RCW 35A.01.040. When a referendum petition is filed with the clerk,
the legislative action sought to be referred to the voters shall be suspended from taking
effect. Such suspension shall terminate when: (1) There is a final determination of
insufficiency or untimeliness of the referendum petition; or (2) the legislative action so
referred is approved by the voters at a referendum election.
[1996 c 286 § 8; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.29.170.]
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RCW 35A.01.040
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall
govern the sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or
prayer intended by the circulators, signers or sponsors to be presented and considered as
one petition and containing the following essential elements when applicable, except that
the elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this subsection are essential for petitions referring
or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or
relief sought by petitioners and shall include a reference to the applicable state statute or
city ordinance, if any;
(b) If the petition initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof;
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an
area for any purpose, an accurate legal description of the area proposed for such action and
if practical, a map of the area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the
name and address of the signer and the date of signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality
and each sheet of petition paper having a space thereon for signatures shall contain the text
or prayer of the petition and the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name,
or who knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or signs a petition
seeking an election when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition
when he or she is otherwise not qualified to sign, or who makes herein any
false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the
name and address of the signer and the date of signing.
(3) The term "signer" means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
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(4) To be sufficient a petition must contain valid signatures of qualified registered
voters or property owners, as the case may be, in the number required by the applicable
statute or ordinance. Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer
with whom the petition is filed shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions
signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions signed by property
owners for determination of sufficiency. The officer or officers whose duty it is to
determine the sufficiency of the petition shall proceed to make such a determination with
reasonable promptness and shall file with the officer receiving the petition for filing a
certificate stating the date upon which such determination was begun, which date shall be
referred to as the terminal date. Additional pages of one or more signatures may be added
to the petition by filing the same with the appropriate filing officer prior to such terminal
date. Any signer of a filed petition may withdraw his or her signature by a written request
for withdrawal filed with the receiving officer prior to such terminal date. Such written
request shall so sufficiently describe the petition as to make identification of the person
and the petition certain. The name of any person seeking to withdraw shall be signed
exactly the same as contained on the petition and, after the filing of such request for
withdrawal, prior to the terminal date, the signature of any person seeking such withdrawal
shall be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Petitions containing the required number of signatures shall be accepted as prima
facie valid until their invalidity has been proved.
(6) A variation on petitions between the signatures on the petition and that on the
voter's permanent registration caused by the substitution of initials instead of the first or
middle names, or both, shall not invalidate the signature on the petition if the surname and
handwriting are the same.
(7) Signatures, including the original, of any person who has signed a petition two or
more times shall be stricken.
(8) Signatures followed by a date of signing which is more than six months prior to the
date of filing of the petition shall be stricken.
(9) When petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the
determination shall be made by the county assessor. Where validation of signatures to the
petition is required, the following shall apply:
(a) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor,
shall be sufficient without the signature of his or her spouse;
(b) In the case of mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient,
without the signature of his or her spouse;
(c) In the case of property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract
purchaser, as shown by the records of the county auditor, shall be deemed sufficient,
without the signature of his or her spouse;
(d) Any officer of a corporation owning land within the area involved who is duly
authorized to execute deeds or encumbrances on behalf of the corporation, may sign on
behalf of such corporation, and shall attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the
bylaws of such corporation showing such authority;
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(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a
guardian has been appointed, the signature of the executor, administrator, or guardian, as
the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(f) When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner
designated by the multiple owners is sufficient.
(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition
shall do so in writing and transmit the written certificate to the officer with whom the
petition was originally filed.
[2003 c 331 § 9; 1996 c 286 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 26; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.01.040.]
NOTES:
Intent Severability Effective date 2003 c 331: See notes following RCW
35.13.410.
Severability 1985 c 281: See RCW 35.10.905.
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SOWa- ne
,,;,v•*Valley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 1 Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.688-0053 ♦ Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhall@spokanevalley.org
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Council Chambers, 4:30 p.m.
June 30, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. The Commission chose Dave Gregory as Chair, and Rod
Grondel as Vice Chair.
During the first public comment period, Bob Blum provided some general background
comments.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 16 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and discussed various background documents, including
RCW 35A; a table of information on comparable cities (chosen at the last meeting using
population as a guide); information on the City of Vancouver's Salary; Commission; and
survey responses from Spokane Valley Council members. They requested information
on retirement and other benefits available to the Spokane Valley City Council.
Given the short timeframe of the task force, they agreed to each craft a proposal and
submit it by Wednesday morning, July 7. The proposal would address salary for the
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilors, and provide input on an escalator clause. Along
with the proposal, Commission members will describe how they came to their proposal,
i.e., what factors were most important to them in drawing a conclusion. Staff will
compile the information and provide it at the next meeting.
During the second public comment period, Bob Blum expressed how important it would
be for the Commission to describe the rationale behind its recommendations.
The next meeting was scheduled for July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the 2"d Floor Conference
Room at the Spokane Valley City Hall site (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Spokane
,;oo Valley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 ♦ Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.688-0053 4 Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhatt@spokanevalley.org
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Council Chambers, 4:30 p.m.
June 30, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. The Commission chose Dave Gregory as Chair, and Rod
Grondel as Vice Chair.
During the first public comment period, Bob Blum provided some general background
comments.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 16 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and discussed various background documents, including
RCW 35A; a table of information on comparable cities (chosen at the last meeting using
population as a guide); information on the City of Vancouver's Salary; Commission; and
survey responses from Spokane Valley Council members. They requested information
on retirement and other benefits available to the Spokane Valley City Council.
Given the short timeframe of the task force, they agreed to each craft a proposal and
submit it by Wednesday morning, July 7. The proposal would address salary for the
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilors, and provide input on an escalator clause. Along
with the proposal, Commission members will describe how they came to their proposal,
i.e., what factors were most important to them in drawing a conclusion. Staff will
compile the information and provide it at the next meeting.
During the second public comment period; Bob Blum expressed how important it would
be for the Commission to describe the rationale behind its recommendations.
The next meeting was scheduled for July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the 2"d Floor Conference
Room at the Spokane Valley City Hall site (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Conference Room 204, 7:00 p.m.
July 8, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman; Dave Gregory;
Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. During the first public comment period, Tony Lazanis stated that
Council should get paid, because they spend a lot of time for the City. However, the Mayor is not the
administrative head of the City.
Glenn Kivet said that the time being spent by the Council members is enormous, and they are vastly
underpaid, but any compensation increase should go into effect at the next term, and should be placed
before the people for a vote.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 30 meeting.
The Commission reviewed the written comments provided by the public via e-mail and letter; then each
Commission member summarized his or her draft salary proposal.
During the second public comment period, Don Flock said that the current salary level was a little low,
and they were probably deserving of a little raise. Mr. Kivet said it was most important to hold the cost
down to the absolute minimum. Mr. Lazanis said he supported an increase, but that it should go into
effect at the next election.
The Commission as a whole reached the following consensus: The Mayor to receive a monthly salary of
$1,200; the Deputy Mayor to receive a monthly salary of $1,000; and the Council members to receive a
monthly salary of $900. The proposal does not include an annual cost of living adjustment.
The Commission discussed the rationale for the proposal, including the amount of time and effort the
Mayor and Council devote to the City. The proposal is slightly below the average of the ten comparable
cities for the Mayor and Councilor positions, and slightly above the average for the Deputy Mayor
position.
The Commission discussed its report, and what components should be included. The members felt it was
particularly important to describe the process, and to articulate the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor
and Council, to educate the public on the complexity of the jobs, and how time consuming they are.
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday July 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2"d Floor Conference Room at
Spokane Valley City Hall (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Conference Room 204,4:30 p.m.
July 20, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Commission Member Absent: Michele Eickerman
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:40 p.m. There was no public in attendance.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the July 8 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and revised the draft report, but made no substantive changes to content.
The Commission decided that no additional meetings were necessary - the report could be finalized via e-
mail correspondence:
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
G Page 1 of 1
Chris Bainbridge
From: Brandt, Paul [PBrandt@spokanecounty.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 9:35 AM
To: Chris Bainbridge
Subject: RE: election questions
The last preceding General Election was November 2003. 15,429 voters went to the polls in
the City of Spokane Valley. The validation figure, therefore is 6,172. Results of the election
are certified by the canvassing board 15 days after a General Election or 10 days after a
Special Election.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Bainbridge [mailto:CBainbridge@spokanevalley.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 9:29 AM
To: pbrandt@spokanecounty.org
Subject: election questions
Good morning Paul. We are examining a financing option which would require voter approval
of a property tax levy to retire debt issued for capital improvements. The requirements is that
we would need "the total number of persons voting to be not less than 40% of the total votes
cast at the last preceding general election."
When was the last preceding general election? Can you tell me the total number of Spokane
Valley residents voting at that election?
I believe your office also does the canvas of votes after elections - correct?
Thanks for your help.
Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Spokane Valley (509-688-0177)
This e-mail and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information. If you are
not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete this e-
mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this information by a person other than
the intended recipient is unauthorized and may be illegal.
9/13/2004
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Final Report: August 2, 2004
Members:
• Dave Gregory, Chair
• Rod Grondel, Vice Chair
• Diane Brown
• Frankie DeWitt
• Michele Eickerman
• Jim Huttenmeier, Alternate
• Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager, Staff Liaison
Introduction
The City of Spokane Valley was incorporated effective March 31, 2003. It was the
largest incorporation in Washington State, and the second largest incorporation in the
country. With a population of 83,950, it is the eighth largest city in Washington.
Spokane Valley operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The legislative
branch is made up of a seven member Council, with the Mayor chosen by his or her
fellow Councilors. The City Council hires a professional City Manager as the City's
Chief Executive Officer. He or she is responsible for the administration of the city, and
carrying out the policy directives of Council.
According to the state laws on incorporation, The Mayor receives $500 per month, and
the Council members receive $400 per month. The Spokane Valley City Council adopted
this salary schedule until they could form an independent salary commission to provide a
more in-depth analysis.
Description of Commission
On May 25, 2004, the City of Spokane Valley City Council approved Ordinance 04-018,
creating a five-member Independent Salary Commission. The purpose of the
Commission was to review and establish the salaries of the Mayor and Council.
The City advertised the Commission openings, received applications, and on June 8
appointed five members and one alternate. The term of the Commission is one year, and
the commissioners serve without compensation.
According to Ordinance 04-018, the Independent Salary Commission was to begin
meeting no later than June 23, 2004, and was to file its schedule of salaries with the City
Clerk no later than August 2, 2004. Appendix III contains a summary of each meeting.
The Commission met on June 16, June 30, July 8, and July 20, 2004, and submitted its
report on August 2, 2004.
The Process
The Salary Commission looked at Mayor and Council salary information compiled by the
Association of Washington Cities of over 250 cities throughout the state. They narrowed
their comparison to the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley who also operated
under the Council-Manager form of government. See Appendix I for more information
on comparables.
The Commission members focused on two priorities in their deliberation: thorough
understanding of the work of Spokane Valley Council members; and public opinion of a
fair salary to pay the Mayor and Council.
Page 2 of 13
The Commission sent a questionnaire to City Council, soliciting information about the
work they did as elected officials. Appendix IV provides a copy of the questionnaire.
All seven Council members responded. See below for a description of Council roles and
responsibilities.
The Commission held public meetings, and the City posted the meeting agendas and
meeting summaries on its web site. Commission members also conducted interviews
with the media, who agreed to run articles requesting public input. In addition, some of
the members distributed a mini-survey, and randomly asked general citizens their opinion
on a fair salary for the Mayor and Council. See Appendix II for a summary of public
input results.
Each Commission member crafted a preliminary proposal. The Commission as a whole
discussed the five proposals and reached consensus on a final salary schedule.
Council Roles and Responsibilities
The Salary Commission was surprised to discover how much time the Mayor and
Council spend on City business. They were not alone. As they spoke with members of
the community, the Commission found that in general, citizens are unaware of the
amount of time involved in being a City of Spokane Valley elected official.
On average, the Mayor of Spokane Valley devotes 30 - 32 hours per week for Council
commitments, plus an additional 10 - 20 hours per month for community commitments.
The Deputy Mayor devotes 20 - 25 hours per week for Council commitments, and 12 -
32 hours per month for additional community commitments. The remaining five
Councilors devote 18 - 45 hours per week for Council commitments, along with 5 - 80
hours per month for additional community commitments.
There are typically two regular Council meetings and two study sessions per month.
These meetings last two to three hours each. In addition to the meeting attendance, the
Mayor and Council prepare for each meeting by reading the material and sometimes
following up in advance with questions they may have.
In their role as policy makers for the City, they need to stay informed on issues such as
provision of public services; land use and zoning; level of taxation and spending; and
regional, state and federal legislative proposals.
In addition to these regular commitments, Council members represent the City's interests
on various regional Boards and Commissions. For instance, Councilors are currently
Board members of the Spokane Transit Authority, the Regional Health District, the
Convention & Visitors Bureau and the International Trade Alliance. They also represent
the City at the state and national level, with a Councilor serving on the Board of the
Association of Washington Cities, and on the National League of Cities Information &
Technology Committee.
Page 3 of 13
They interact both formally and informally with other elected officials in the region,
representing Spokane Valley's interests on a broader level. Examples of current issues
include the future of wastewater treatment, regional emergency management, and a
regional approach to animal control.
The responsibilities of the Mayor and Council also include maintaining contact with the
community. They are active in community organizations and events such as the Spokane
Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council, the Spokane Valley
Business Association and ValleyFest.
On a periodic basis, they hold Conversations with the Community, at various locations
around the city. During the school year, they also visit area high schools to discuss issues
of importance to Spokane Valley's youth. They regularly receive and respond to letters,
e-mails and telephone calls.
The Mayor and Council develop and deliver presentations to community organizations,
such as the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. They write articles and guest
editorials, and conduct press conferences and on-air interviews. They attend ribbon
cuttings, ground breakings, grand openings, open houses and graduations. At some of
these events they are simply in attendance, and at others they are writing and delivering
speeches or acting as master of ceremonies.
In addition to the above responsibilities, the Mayor manages the agenda and presides at
Council meetings. The Deputy Mayor assumes the responsibilities of the Mayor in his or
her absence.
Rationale for the Proposal
The City of Spokane Valley adopted the state-declared $500 per month for the Mayor and
$400 per month for Council until an independent salary commission could be appointed
to review the amounts. In many cases, this meant that Council members were paid in
effect less than half the minimum wage. The Commission members uniformly agreed
that the amount was too low for the amount of time elected officials were obliged to
devote to the City.
The Salary Commission believes that the City should compensate its elected officials in
the form of a stipend - not a full salary reflecting the full value of the time and effort put
in by the Mayor and Council.
Every Commission member expressed appreciation for the work of each member of the
City Council. However, they want the basis for the Spokane Valley City Council to be
grounded in a sense of volunteerism, and a desire to serve the community.
The Commission recognized that a City Council member is never "off-duty." He or she
is approached by citizens not only at official events, but also in his or her every day life,
Page 4 of 13
such as at work, at the grocery store and at church. The Commission members feel this
accessibility is important to the community, and want it to continue.
While the Commission didn't feel it was appropriate to propose a full salary, they did feel
the City should compensate its elected officials at a higher stipend than they currently
receive, for the significant impact to their personal lives and that of their families.
The Commission looked at other benefits offered to the Mayor and Council, and the fact
that the City does not offer them a retirement benefit. They weighed this information as
they developed the proposal; however, they recognized that the scope of their work was
limited to the salary.
Looking at the ten comparable cities, the proposed salary schedule is less than the
average monthly salary for the Mayor and the Council members, and slightly above
average for the Deputy Mayor. It should be noted that only three of the seven cities paid
a different amount to the Deputy Mayor, than to their Council members. However, in
Spokane Valley's case, the Deputy Mayor does carry responsibilities in addition to that of
the Council members.
Salary Schedule Proposal
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission proposes the following salary
schedule for the City of Spokane Valley Mayor and Council:
i Proposed M'onthly
Alarv Sala.
Mayor $500 $1,200
Deputy Mayor $400 $1,000
Councilor $400 $900
The Commission recommends no automatic annual cost of living increase.
Pursuant to state law (RCW 35.21.015), this salary schedule shall become effective and
incorporated into the city budget without further action of the City Council or Salary
Commission, subject to a referendum of the people.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dave Gregory,
Chair of the Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
Page 5 of 13
APPENDIX I: Comparables
The Salary Commission selected as its comparables the ten cities closest in size to
Spokane Valley who also operated under the Council-Manager form of government
city Population Average time committed Compensation
Per month
Vancouver 145,300 90 hours per month is reported Mayor $1,885.00
for retirement service credits Council $1,260.00
Bellevue 111,500 Mayor $1,950.00
Council $1,650.00
Federal Way 83,890 Considered part time Mayor $1,375.00
employees Council $1,075.00
Yakima 73,040 Council 15-20 hours per week Mayor $1,043.95
Mayor 30 - 40 hours per week Deputy $800.37
Council $695.97
Lakewood 58,190 Mayor $900.00
Council $700.00
Kennewick 55,780 Mayor $1,191.00
Deputy $1,091.00
Council $992.00
Shoreline 53,421 # of hours reported to L&I per Mayor $875.00
month: Mayor 95; Deputy 78; Council $700.00
Council 60
Kirkland 45,770 Mayor $950.00
Council $650.00
Olympia 42,530 25 hours per week Mayor $933.40
Deputy $738.66
Council $656.08
Richland 39,350 Estimate 160 hours per month Mayor $1,125.00
for a checks Council $875.00
Average Mayor $1,223.00
Deputy $954.00
Council $925.00
Spokane Valley 83,950 See below Mayor $500.00
Council $400.00
In comparison, the following estimates apply for Spokane Valley Council members:
• Mayor: 30 - 32 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 10 - 20 hours per
month for additional community commitments;
• Deputy Mayor: 20 - 25 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 12 - 32
hours per month for additional community commitments;
• Councilors (5): 18 - 45 hours per week for Council commitments, plus 5 - 80
hours per month for additional community commitments.
Page 6 of 13
APPENDIX II: Summary of Public Input Results
The Salary Commission took both a proactive and reactive approach to seeking
public input. Among the reactive approaches were the following:
• The meeting agendas and minutes were published on the City web site.
• The Commission meetings were held in a public setting, with public input
allowed at the beginning and the end of each meeting. A total of four
people attended the meetings.
In order to proactively seek public input, the Commission took the following
additional steps:
• Conducted interviews with the media to encourage citizens to call, e-mail
or write letters to the City to voice their opinions. As a result of the media
coverage, the City received thirteen e-mails, one mailed letter and eleven
telephone calls. Seven people spoke in favor of an increase, and eighteen
opposed an increase, at least at this time.
• Developed and handed out a brief written survey. About 35 responded,
and all respondents favored a salary increase for the Mayor and Council.
• Asked individuals with whom they came in contact. Almost 100
individuals offered their opinion. The general feeling was surprise that so
much time and work was involved in the completion of their jobs. Every
person supported the idea of an increase in the payment of the Mayor, the
Deputy Mayor and the Council to a level that would retain people of
integrity and quality for the positions.
The Salary Commission members observed that people were more likely to support a
salary increase using one of the two direct communication approaches. The direct
approaches gave the Commission members the opportunity to describe the Mayor and
Council's responsibilities, and to tell them what the Council was currently being paid.
Virtually all of the citizens using these approaches supported some form of salary
increase. By contrast, about 28% of those who offered their opinions by telephone, e-
mail or letter supported an increase.
Page 7 of 13
APPENDIX III: Meeting Summaries
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Opportunity Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.
June 16, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Rod Grondel
Commission Members Absent: Dave Gregory
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m.
The Commission decided to defer election of a Chair and Vice Chair until the next
meeting, when all members would be present. They reviewed Ordinance 04-018, which
established the Commission.
After reviewing the 2003 Mayor and Council salary data compiled by the Association of
Washington Cities, the Commission decided to seek comparable information from the
following cities: Vancouver; Bellevue; Federal Way; Yakima; Lakewood; Kennewick;
Shoreline; Kirkland; Olympia; and Richland.
These cities are the ten cities closest in size to Spokane Valley. Like Spokane Valley,
they operate under a Council-Manager form of government. The cities range in
population from 150,700 to 41,650.
The Commission also identified information they will seek from the Spokane Valley City
Council, to help compare their responsibilities to those of the other ten cities. Per
Ordinance 04-018, that request will be made in writing.
The Commission decided to schedule public comment at the beginning and the end of
each meeting. There was no general public present at the June 16 meeting.
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for June 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Opportunity
Conference Room of Spokane Valley City Hall.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Page 8 of 13
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Council Chambers, 4:30 p.m.
June 30, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. The Commission chose Dave Gregory as Chair, and Rod
Grondel as Vice Chair.
During the first public comment period, Bob Blum provided some general background
comments.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 16 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and discussed various background documents, including
RCW 35A; a table of information on comparable cities (chosen at the last meeting using
population as a guide); information on the City of Vancouver's Salary; Commission; and
survey responses from Spokane Valley Council members. They requested information
on retirement and other benefits available to the Spokane Valley City Council.
Given the short timeframe of the task force, they agreed to each craft a proposal and
submit it by Wednesday morning, July 7. The proposal would address salary for the
Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilors, and provide input on an escalator clause. Along
with the proposal, Commission members will describe how they came to their proposal,
i.e., what factors were most important to them in drawing a conclusion. Staff will
compile the information and provide it at the next meeting.
During the second public comment period, Bob Blum expressed how important it would
be for the Commission to describe the rationale behind its recommendations.
The next meeting was scheduled for July 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Conference
Room at the Spokane Valley City Hall site (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Page 9 of 13
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Conference Room 204, 7:00 p.m.
July 8, 2004 -Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. During the first public comment period, Tony Lazanis
stated that Council should get paid, because they spend a lot of time for the City.
However, the Mayor is not the administrative head of the City.
Glenn Kivet said that the time being spent by the Council members is enormous, and they
are vastly underpaid, but any compensation increase should go into effect at the next
term, and should be placed before the people for a vote.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 30 meeting.
The Commission reviewed the written comments provided by the public via e-mail and
letter; then each Commission member summarized his or her draft salary proposal.
During the second public comment period, Don Flock said that the current salary level
was a little low, and they were probably deserving of a little raise. Mr. Kivet said it was
most important to hold the cost down to the absolute minimum. Mr. Lazanis said he
supported an increase, but that it should go into effect at the next election.
The Commission as a whole reached the following consensus: The Mayor to receive a
monthly salary of $1,200; the Deputy Mayor to receive a monthly salary of $1,000; and
the Council members to receive a monthly salary of $900. The proposal does not include
an annual cost of living adjustment.
The Commission discussed the rationale for the proposal, including the amount of time
and effort the Mayor and Council devote to the City. The proposal is slightly below the
average of the ten comparable cities for the Mayor and Councilor positions, and slightly
above the average for the Deputy Mayor position.
The Commission discussed its report, and what components should be included. The
members felt it was particularly important to describe the process, and to articulate the
roles and responsibilities of the Mayor and Council, to educate the public on the
complexity of the jobs, and how time consuming they are.
Page 10 of 13
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday July 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2"d Floor
Conference Room at Spokane Valley City Hall (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Page 11 of 13
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Conference Room 204, 4:30 p.m.
July 20, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Dave Gregory; Rod
Grondel
Commission Member Absent: Michele Eickerman
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:40 p.m. There was no public in attendance.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the July 8 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and revised the draft report, but made no substantive changes
to content.
The Commission decided that no additional meetings were necessary - the report could
be finalized via e-mail correspondence.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Page 12 of 13
APPENDIX IV: Council Questionnaire
Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of
Roles and Responsibilities
Name:
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor/Deputy
Mayor/Councilor of Spokane Valley.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and, if so, do you
feel you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the
commitments of the Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor?
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet (for
example, participation at community events; membership in community
organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce; volunteer work outside of
Council)?
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into
consideration as it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with
those of other cities?
Page 13 of 13
pokane
,;oOValley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 + Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.921.1000 ♦ Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityhall@spokanevalley.org
September 13, 2004
Paul Brandt
Elections Supervisor, Spokane County
1033 West Gardner
Spokane, WA 99260-0025
Re: Petitions relating to Spokane Valley Salary Commission
Dear Paul:
Enclosed please find the petitions turned in late Friday, September 10, 2004 to our City
Clerk regarding the Spokane Valley Salary Commission action. I am providing you with
everything we received Friday from the group.
Pursuant to RCW 35A.29.170, please make a threshold determination as to the
sufficiency of the language used on the referendum petitions, as well as the sufficiency of
the number of signatures.
I am also enclosing, for your convenience, a copy of Spokane Valley Ordinance No. 04-
018, which sets forth the adopted requirements for such referenda on Salary Commission
actions.
If you have any questions, please call City Attorney Stan Schwartz. His office number is
624-5265, and his cell number is 991-2j2S.
2123
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Cary P. Driskell
Deputy City Attorney
CPD/pd
Enc.
c: Dave Mercier, City Manager (w/out enc.)
Jim Emacio, Spokane County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney (w/out enc.)
Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager (w/out enc.)
Stanley Schwartz, City Attorney (w/out enc.)
CChris-Baiiibndge,-City Clerk (w/out enc.)
Page 1 of I
Chris Bainbridge
From: Nina Regor
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 3:19 PM
To: Chris Bainbridge; Dave Mercier
Subject: FW: Referendum on Council Salary Adjustment
-----Original Message-----
From: Stan M Schwartz [mailto:SMS@notes.wkdtlaw.com]
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 3:18 PM
To: Nina Regor
Cc: Cary Driskell
Subject: Referendum on Council Salary Adjustment
Here is a short review of the effect and process for a referendum petition on the Council Salary Adjustment.
Assuming a valid referendum petition is timely filed with the City Clerk, City Ordinance and State Law
provide that the salary increase shall not go into effect until approved by a vote of the people or the Petition is
determined invalid.
The process for the City is to have the City Clerk transmit the Petition(s) to the County Auditor who will
determine the sufficiency of the Petition according to RGW 35Am01P0410 elf, the.P_etition isuffi'cient.the-mattes wi~
Lbe=vovoted-on at the next general or muniaipal election, which.will,be;this-November.
Hope the above is helpful.
9/13/2004
I
Page 1 of 3
RCW 35A.01.040
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall
govern the sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or
prayer intended by the circulators, signers or sponsors to be presented and considered as
one petition and containing the following essential elements when applicable, except that
the elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this subsection are essential for petitions referring
or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or
relief sought by petitioners and shall include a reference to the applicable state statute or
city ordinance, if any;
(b) If the petition initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof,
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an
area for any purpose, an accurate legal description of the area proposed for such action and
if practical, a map of the area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the
name and address of the signer and the date of signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality
and each sheet of petition paper having a space thereon for signatures shall contain the text
or prayer of the petition and the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name,
or who knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or signs a petition
seeking an election when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition
when he or she is otherwise not qualified to sign, or who makes herein any
false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the
name and address of the signer and the date of signing.
(3) The term "signer" means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
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(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a
guardian has been appointed, the signature of the executor, administrator, or guardian, as
the case may be, shall be equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(f) When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner
designated by the multiple owners is sufficient.
(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition
shall do so in writing and transmit the written certificate to the officer with whom the
petition was originally filed.
[2003 c 331 § 9; 1996 c 286 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 26; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.01.040.]
NOTES:
Intent Severability Effective date 2003 c 331: See notes following RCW
35.13.410.
Severability 1985 c 281: See RCW 35.10.905.
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WARNING: Every person who signs this petition with any other than his/her true name, or who
knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or signs a petition seeking an election when he/she is
not a legal voter, or signs a petition when he/she is otherwise not qualified to sign, or who makes herein
any false statement, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the printed name of
the signer, the date of the signing, and the address of the signer.
PETITION FOR REFERENDUM
To the City Clerk of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington:
We, the undersigned registered voters of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington, respectfully order and
direct the following language shall be referred to a vote of the people pursuant to state law for their
approval or rejection at the next general or municipal election occurring thirty (30) days or more after the
petition is filed, and in the manner required by the Revised Code of Washington:
Should the salary schedule filed with the City Clerk of the City of
Spokane Valley by the Independent Salary Commission on August 2,
2004, be repealed in its entirety? Your signature on this petition
indicates your vote in favor of repeal of the attached salary schedule
in its entirety.
A full, true, and correct copy of Ordinance 04-018 Creating an Independent Salary Commission, along
with a copy of the salary schedule referred to in such ordinance, is attached to this petition.
Each of us for himself or herself says: I have personally signed this petition; I am a legal voter of the
City of Spokane Valley, Washington, my residence address is correctly stated, and I have knowingly
signed this petition only once.
Petitioner's Signature Petitioner's Printed Name Residence Address Date
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I certify or declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing petition contains
signatures, that I am one of the signers, that each signature thereon is a genuine signature of the person whose name it
purports to be, and that the statements therein made are true as I believe.
Date and Place Signature
This Petition may be executed in counterparts and all properly executed and signed copies shall be considered as one complete
Petition.
Page 1 of 3
RCW 35A.01.040
Sufficiency of petitions.
Wherever in this title petitions are required to be signed and filed, the following rules shall govern the
sufficiency thereof:
(1) A petition may include any page or group of pages containing an identical text or prayer intended by
the circulators, signers or sponsors to be presented and considered as one petition and containing the
following essential elements when applicable, except that the elements referred to in (d) and (e) of this
subsection are essential for petitions referring or initiating legislative matters to the voters, but are
directory as to other petitions:
(a) The text or prayer of the petition which shall be a concise statement of the action or relief sought by
petitioners and shall include a reference to the applicable state statute or city ordinance, if any;
(b) If the petition initiates or refers an ordinance, a true copy thereof,
(c) If the petition seeks the annexation, incorporation, withdrawal, or reduction of an area for any
purpose, an accurate legal description of the area proposed for such action and if practical, a map of the
area;
(d) Numbered lines for signatures with space provided beside each signature for the name and address of
the signer and the date of signing;
(e) The warning statement prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Petitions shall be printed or typed on single sheets of white paper of good quality and each sheet of
petition paper having a space thereon for signatures shall contain the text or prayer of the petition and
the following warning:
WARNING
Every person who signs this petition with any other than his or her true name, or who
knowingly signs more than one of these petitions, or signs a petition seeking an election
when he or she is not a legal voter, or signs a petition when he or she is otherwise not
qualified to sign, or who makes herein any false statement, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor.
Each signature shall be executed in ink or indelible pencil and shall be followed by the name and
address of the signer and the date of signing.
(3) The term "signer" means any person who signs his or her own name to the petition.
(4) To be sufficient a petition must contain valid signatures of qualified registered voters or property
owners, as the case may be, in the number required by the applicable statute or ordinance. Within three
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working days after the filing of a petition, the officer with whom the petition is filed shall transmit the
petition to the county auditor for petitions signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for
petitions signed by property owners for determination of sufficiency. The officer or officers whose duty
it is to determine the sufficiency of the petition shall proceed to make such a determination with
reasonable promptness and shall file with the officer receiving the petition for filing a certificate stating
the date upon which such determination was begun, which date shall be referred to as the terminal date.
Additional pages of one or more signatures may be added to the petition by filing the same with the
appropriate filing officer prior to such terminal date. Any signer of a filed petition may withdraw his or
her signature by a written request for withdrawal filed with the receiving officer prior to such terminal
date. Such written request shall so sufficiently describe the petition as to make identification of the
person and the petition certain. The name of any person seeking to withdraw shall be signed exactly the
same as contained on the petition and, after the filing of such request for withdrawal, prior to the
terminal date, the signature of any person seeking such withdrawal shall be deemed withdrawn.
(5) Petitions containing the required number of signatures shall be accepted as prima facie valid until
their invalidity has been proved.
(6) A variation on petitions between the signatures on the petition and that on the voter's permanent
registration caused by the substitution of initials instead of the first or middle names, or both, shall not
invalidate the signature on the petition if the surname and handwriting are the same.
(7) Signatures, including the original, of any person who has signed a petition two or more times shall
be stricken.
(8) Signatures followed by a date of signing which is more than six months prior to the date of filing of
the petition shall be stricken.
(9) When petitions are required to be signed by the owners of property, the determination shall be made
by the county assessor. Where validation of signatures to the petition is required, the following shall
apply:
(a) The signature of a record owner, as determined by the records of the county auditor, shall be
sufficient without the signature of his or her spouse;
(b) In the case of mortgaged property, the signature of the mortgagor shall be sufficient, without the
signature of his or her spouse;
(c) In the case of property purchased on contract, the signature of the contract purchaser, as shown by
the records of the county auditor, shall be deemed sufficient, without the signature of his or her spouse;
(d) Any officer of a corporation owning land within the area involved who is duly authorized to execute
deeds or encumbrances on behalf of the corporation, may sign on behalf of such corporation, and shall
attach to the petition a certified excerpt from the bylaws of such corporation showing such authority;
(e) When property stands in the name of a deceased person or any person for whom a guardian has been
appointed, the signature of the executor, administrator, or guardian, as the case may be, shall be
equivalent to the signature of the owner of the property; and
(f) When a parcel of property is owned by multiple owners, the signature of an owner designated by the
multiple owners is sufficient.
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(10) The officer or officers responsible for determining the sufficiency of the petition shall do so in
writing and transmit the written certificate to the officer with whom the petition was originally filed.
[2003 c 331 § 9; 1996 c 286 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 26; 1967 ex.s. c 119 § 35A.01.040.]
NOTES:
Intent Severability Effective date 2003 c 331: See notes following RCW 35.13.410.
Severability 1985 c 281: See RCW 35.10.905.
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RCW 36.17.
~Iredule of salaries. J
The county legislative authority of each county or a county commissioner or councilmember salary
commission which conforms with RCW 36.17.024 is authorized to establish the salaries of the elected
officials of the county. One-half of the salary of each prosecuting attorney shall be paid by the state.
The annual salary of a county elected official shall not be less than the following:
(1) In each county with a population of one million or more: Auditor, clerk, treasurer, sheriff, members
of the county legislative authority, and coroner, eighteen thousand dollars; assessor, nineteen thousand
dollars; and prosecuting attorney, thirty thousand three hundred dollars;
(2) In each county with a population of from two hundred ten thousand to less than one million: Auditor,
seventeen thousand six hundred dollars; clerk, seventeen thousand six hundred dollars; treasurer,
seventeen thousand six hundred dollars; sheriff, nineteen thousand five hundred dollars; assessor,
seventeen thousand six hundred dollars; prosecuting attorney, twenty-four thousand eight hundred
dollars; members of the county legislative authority, nineteen thousand five hundred dollars; and
coroner, seventeen thousand six hundred dollars;
(3) In each county with a population of from one hundred twenty-five thousand to less than two hundred
ten thousand: Auditor, sixteen thousand dollars; clerk, sixteen thousand dollars; treasurer, sixteen
thousand dollars; sheriff, seventeen thousand six hundred dollars; assessor, sixteen thousand dollars;
prosecuting attorney, twenty-four thousand eight hundred dollars; members of the county legislative
authority, seventeen thousand six hundred dollars; and coroner, sixteen thousand dollars;
(4) In each county with a population of from seventy thousand to less than one hundred twenty-five
thousand: Auditor, fourteen thousand nine hundred dollars; clerk, fourteen thousand nine hundred
dollars; treasurer, fourteen thousand nine hundred dollars; assessor, fourteen thousand nine hundred
dollars; sheriff, fourteen thousand nine hundred dollars; prosecuting attorney, twenty-three thousand
seven hundred dollars; members of the county legislative authority, fourteen thousand nine hundred
dollars; and coroner, fourteen thousand nine hundred dollars;
(5) In each county with a population of from forty thousand to less than seventy thousand: Auditor,
thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars; clerk, thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars; treasurer, thirteen
thousand eight hundred dollars; assessor, thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars; sheriff, thirteen
thousand eight hundred dollars; prosecuting attorney, twenty-three thousand seven hundred dollars;
members of the county legislative authority, thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars; and coroner,
thirteen thousand eight hundred dollars;
(6) In each county with a population of from eighteen thousand to less than forty thousand: Auditor,
twelve thousand one hundred dollars; clerk, twelve thousand one hundred dollars; treasurer, twelve
thousand one hundred dollars; sheriff, twelve thousand one hundred dollars; assessor, twelve thousand
one hundred dollars; prosecuting attorney in such a county in which there is no state university or
college, fourteen thousand three hundred dollars; in such a county in which there is a state university or
college, sixteen thousand five hundred dollars; and members of the county legislative authority, eleven
thousand dollars;
(7) In each county with a population of from twelve thousand to less than eighteen thousand: Auditor,
ten thousand one hundred dollars; clerk, ten thousand one hundred dollars; treasurer, ten thousand one
hundred dollars; assessor, ten thousand one hundred dollars; sheriff, eleven thousand two hundred
dollars; prosecuting attorney, thirteen thousand two hundred dollars; and members of the county
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legislative authority, nine thousand four hundred dollars;
(8) In each county with a population of from eight thousand to less than twelve thousand: Auditor, ten
thousand one hundred dollars; clerk, ten thousand one hundred dollars; treasurer, ten thousand one
hundred dollars; assessor, ten thousand one hundred dollars; sheriff, eleven thousand two hundred
dollars; prosecuting attorney, nine thousand nine hundred dollars; and members of the county legislative
authority, seven thousand dollars;
(9) In each county with a population of from five thousand to less than eight thousand: Auditor, nine
thousand one hundred dollars; clerk, nine thousand one hundred dollars; treasurer, nine thousand one
hundred dollars; assessor, nine thousand one hundred dollars; sheriff, ten thousand five hundred dollars;
prosecuting attorney, nine thousand nine hundred dollars; and members of the county legislative
authority, six thousand five hundred dollars;
(10) In each other county: Auditor, nine thousand one hundred dollars; clerk, nine thousand one hundred
dollars; treasurer, nine thousand one hundred dollars; sheriff, ten thousand five hundred dollars;
assessor, nine thousand one hundred dollars; prosecuting attorney, nine thousand nine hundred dollars;
and members of the county legislative authority, six thousand five hundred dollars.
[2001 c 73 § 3; 1994 sp.s. c 4 § 1; 1991 c 363 § 52; 1973 1st ex.s. c 88 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 237 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 226 § 1; 1967
ex.s. c 77 § 2; 1967 c 218 § 3; 1963 c 164 § 1; 1963 c 4 § 36.17.020. Prior: 1957 c 219 § 3; prior: (i) 1953 c 264 § 1; 1949 c
200 § 1, part; 1945 c 87 § 1, part; 1937 c 197 § 3, part; 1933 c 136 § 6, part; 1925 ex.s. c 148 § 6, part; 1919 c 168 § 2, part;
Rem. Supp. 1949 § 4200-5a, part. (ii) 1921 c 184 § 2; RRS § 4203.]
NOTES:
Findings Intent Severability 2001 c 73: See notes following RCW 35.21.015.
Purpose Captions not law --1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
Severability 1971 ex.s. c 237: "If any provision of this 1971 amendatory act, or its application to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to
other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1971 ex.s. c 237 § 4.]
Effective date 1971 ex.s. c 237: "This act shall take effect on January 1, 1972." [1971 ex.s. c 237 §
5.]
Counties with populations of less than five thousand, combined office of auditor and clerk, salary:
RCW 36.16.032.
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SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SPOKANE COUNTY
In the Matter of
SPECIAL NOTICE No.
Spokane Valley City Council
Salary Commission Schedule AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLISHING
NOTICE
STATE OF WASHINGTON )
)SS.
County of Spokane )
MICHAEL HUFFMAN being first duly sworn on oath deposes and says that he is the MANAGING EDITOR of
TheSpokane Valley News Herald, a weekly newspaper. That said newspaper is a legal newspaper and it is now and has been for more
than six months prior to the date of the publication hereinafter referred to, published in the English language continually as a weekly
newspaper in Spokane County, Washington, and it is now and during all of said time was printed in an office maintained at the aforesaid
place of publication of said newspaper, which said newspaper had been approved as a legal newspaper by order of the Superior Court
of the State of Washington in and for Spokane County. That thefollowing is a true copy of a public notice as it waspubl' regular
issues commencing on the 6th day of August 2004., and ending the 13th da of An st 2 all If that such
newspaper was regularly distributed to its subscribers during all of said period,
SPOKANE VALLEY CRY COUNCIL 1 `
_ SPECIAL NOTICE
SALARY COMMISSION SCHEDULE I C BE " n ORN to before me
Notice is hereby given that the city of is 13th da o / ust 2004.
Spokane Valley Salary Commission was
formed pursuant to Washington State law and I State of Washi on
1 Spokane Valley City Ordinance 04-018. The o
purpose of the Commission was to review and COUnty of Spokane
establish the salaries of the Mayor and
Council. Ordinance 04-018 stipulates that the
Salary Commission file its schedule m Icertify that I know or have satisfactory evidence that
salaries with the Clty Clark no later than I
August z. 2004, that the schedule win be pub- Michael Huffman is the person who appeared before
I blamed twice, at least one week apaq in the me, and said person acknowledged that he signed
official newspaper of the City. The second
date of publication, or August 13, 2004 small this instrument and acknowledged it to be his free
be considered the official filing date of the tLtuuuu, and voluntary act for the uses and purposes men-
salary schedule. ry'
. ~eNE.RgF tioned in the instrument.
The monthly salary schedulers as ldloe: ` 0; tSSIOp'•;y"i
Didat F ••F '
Current New
Mayor. S500 51.200 • 0 +$:Z1
:1 Q Ali
Deputy Mayo......_+......._.54000 $1.000 ~to1 PUB(f~. mT ~
plan Rae All
Councilor.. .........................5400 5900 ••@,
0.01 • 02: Title: Notary Public
The Commission recommends no automat '~/OF 1
is annual cast of living increase. '/q,WASHiN`~P My appointment expires: 5-16-07
nnula
Please note that the Commission's adopted I ,1t
salary st hepeo le sublet referendum purr- J^
lion by la. the people of the City . A petition must 1I
de filed with the City Clerk within thins
days alter the odlifiling date of the salary
lary
'he City The deadline to file o petition with
the ('t
tem Clerk is s 5:00 p.m., xal I time, Friday,
September 10, 2004. ,
Christine Bainbridge
Spokane Valley City Clerk
(509 Spokane 688-0177)
Page 1 of 1
RCW 29A.72.030
Time for filing various types. (Effective July 1, 2004.)
Initiative measures proposed to be submitted to the people must be filed with the secretary of state
within ten months prior to the election at which they are to be submitted, and the signature petitions
must be filed with the secretary of state not less than four months before the next general statewide
election.
Initiative measures proposed to be submitted to the legislature must be filed with the secretary of state
within ten months prior to the next regular session of the legislature at which they are to be submitted,
and the signature petitions must be filed with the secretary of state not less than ten days before such
regular session of the legislature.
A referendum measure petition ordering that any act or part of an act passed by the legislature be
referred to the people must be filed with the secretary of state within ninety days after the final
adjournment of the legislative session at which the act was passed. It may be submitted at the next
general statewide election or at a special election ordered by the legislature.
A proposed initiative or referendum measure may be filed no earlier than the opening of the secretary of
state's office for business pursuant to RCW 42.04.060 on the first day filings are permitted, and any
initiative or referendum petition must be filed not later than the close of business on the last business
day in the specified period for submission of signatures. If a filing deadline falls on a Saturday, the
office of the secretary of state must be open for the transaction of business under this section from 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on that Saturday.
[2003 c 111 § 1804; 1987 c 161 § 1; 1965 c 9 § 29.72,020. Prior: (i) 1913 c 138 § 1, part; RRS § 5397, part. (ii) 1913 c 138 §
6, part; RRS § 5402, part. (iii) 1913 c 138 § 5, part; RRS § 5401, part. (iv) 1913 c 138 § 7, part; RRS § 5403, part. Formerly
RCW 29,79.020.]
NOTES:
Initiative, referendum, time for filing: State Constitution Art. 2 § 1 (a) and (d) (Amendment 7).
Petitions Time for filing: RCW 29A.72.160.
1 http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewHtml.asp?Action=Html&Item=7&X=628135... 6/28/2004
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Conference Room 204, 7:00 p.m.
July 8, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Michele Eickerman;
Dave Gregory; Rod Grondel
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. During the first public comment period, Tony Lazanis
stated that Council should get paid, because they spend a lot of time for the City.
However, the Mayor is not the administrative head of the City.
Glenn Kivet said that the time being spent by the Council members is enormous, and they
are vastly underpaid, but any compensation increase should go into effect at the next
term, and should be placed before the people for a vote.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the June 30 meeting.
The Commission reviewed the written comments provided by the public via e-mail and
letter; then each Commission member summarized his or her draft salary proposal.
During the second public comment period, Don Flock said that the current salary level
was a little low, and they were probably deserving of a little raise. Mr. Kivet said it was
most important to hold the cost down to the absolute minimum. Mr. Lazanis said he
supported an increase, but that it should go into effect at the next election.
The Commission as a whole reached the following consensus: The Mayor to receive a
monthly salary of $1,200; the Deputy Mayor to receive a monthly salary of $1,000; and
the Council members to receive a monthly salary of $900. The proposal does not include
an annual cost of living adjustment.
The Commission discussed the rationale for the proposal, including the amount of time
and effort the Mayor and Council devote to the City. The proposal is slightly below the
average of the ten comparable cities for the Mayor and Councilor positions, and slightly
above the average for the Deputy Mayor position.
The Commission discussed its report, and what components should be included. The
members felt it was particularly important to describe the process, and to articulate the
roles and responsibilities of the Mayor and Council, to educate the public on the
complexity of the jobs, and how time consuming they are.
Page 10 of 13
The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday July 20 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor
Conference Room at Spokane Valley City Hall (11707 E. Sprague Ave.).
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Page 11 of 13
Meeting Summaries, continued
SPOKANE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SALARY COMMISSION
Spokane Valley City Hall
Conference Room 204,4:30 p.m.
July 20, 2004 - Meeting Summary
Commission Members Present: Diane Brown; Frankie DeWitt; Dave Gregory; Rod
Grondel
Commission Member Absent: Michele Eickerman
Staff Present: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
Summary of Meeting:
The meeting began at 4:40 p.m. There was no public in attendance.
The Commission reviewed and made no changes to the summary of the July 8 meeting.
The Commission reviewed and revised the draft report, but made no substantive changes
to content.
The Commission decided that no additional meetings were necessary - the report could
be finalized via e-mail correspondence.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Page 12 of 13
APPENDIX IV: Council Questionnaire
Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of
Roles and Responsibilities
Name:
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor/Deputy
Mayor/Councilor of Spokane Valley.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and, if so, do you
feel you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the
commitments of the Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor?
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet (for
example, participation at community events; membership in community
organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce; volunteer work outside of
Council)?
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into
consideration as it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with
those of other cities?
Page 13 of 13
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
WANTED: SALARY COMMISSION MEMBERS
The City of Spokane Valley seeks members to serve on an Independent Salary Commission, the
purpose of which is to review and establish the salaries of the Mayor and the Councilmembers.
The committee will consist of five members. The term of appointment is one year, and the
expected duration of the committee is no more than one year. Member qualifications include:
U.S. citizenship, and a resident of the City of Spokane Valley for at least one year. The
Commission will serve without compensation. The first meeting of the Commission shall occur
no later than June 23, 2004; members will also be responsible for filing a report of their
recommendations, by August 9, 2004. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on
this committee, please request an application from:
City of Spokane Valley, City Clerk
11707 E. Sprague Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 921-1000
0
\\Sv-Csl\Users\CBainbridge\cbainbridge\Press Releases-PSAs\Salary Commission Ad.doc
z
' Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of Roles and Responsibilities
Mike DeVleming
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor / council member.
• As 1/7 of the council 1 am responsible to responsible to prepare for each Council
meeting be reading and understanding all materials that will be discussed at the
meeting. For certain subjects this requires additional research.
• As Mayor 1 am the presiding officer at all council meetings and study sessions.
This requires additional preparation such as: preparing agendas, setting
upcoming schedules, putting together information for the "flow" of the meeting
etc. Some of this is accomplished by the weekly `pre-agenda" meeting held
every month with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Clerk and Deputy
Mayor.
• As Mayor 1 also meet regularly with the City Manager and staff regarding critical
information, staff discussions.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and,
Aside from the RCW's that defines such things as open public meetings act and
other rules that public officials are subject to, there is some general information
available from Association of Washington Cities and MRSC that discusses
guidelines for Mayors and councils.
Our council has taken the initiative to create our Governance Manual. This is our
internal book that details our rules and processes for meeting rules, establishing
ad hoc committees and emergency procedures etc.
However, there really isn't anything that specifically says "as council person, you
must do this."
if so, do you feel you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
As Mayor, I am the lead contact for the press and the community. When a story
is breaking, often, the press will contact me first for comments. This contact is
not limited to business hours. 1 have had to do TV interviews as late as 10 pm at
night and many times on the weekends at a variety of sites.
The community has not hesitated to contact me at home. 1 have had citizens
knock on my front door and call me on my home phone.
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the
commitments of the Mayor / Council Member?
My schedule has tapered down to about 30 - 32 hours a week.
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet?
` As Mayor, my presence is requested at most community events and gatherings.
Often, I am asked to give speeches at these events. /(and most of the council)
have been asked to attend:
• Ribbon cuttings
• Grand openings for new business
• Graduations
• On air TV interviews at the various TV stations
• Annual meetings at many businesses
• presentations and readings to many grade school, Jr. and Sr. high school
students
• Boy Scout & Girl Scout (Camp Fire Girfs) Award ceremonies
• funerals
In addition to this list, we write occasional articles and guest editorials for the
local papers.
The Mayors office often receives many emails, letters and calls regarding
problems citizens are having within the city. These problems range from pot hole
type complaints to zoning issues and the general process of city government.
While the staff solves
The Valley Council sits on over 27 various area Boards and committee's. These
in its self require attending meetings, reviewing minutes and a variety of material
and preparing for the monthly meetings. Many of us attend the weekly and
monthly committee meetings for the Valley Chamber, Spokane Home Builders
Association, Spokane Sheriffs Advisory Board and Spokane Valley Business
Association etc.
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
This probably accounts for 10 - 20 hours a month.
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into
consideration as it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with
other cities?
I am sure that all of us will tell you the amount of work it takes to build a city is
substantially more than the work it takes to "maintain" a city. The difference is
the amount of "firsts" that need to be completed. Examples of the types of issues
and projects the council needs to understand and make decisions on would be:
• The many contracts and service agreements
• Computer and phone systems.
• First time budgets
Another difference between us and many of our counterparts in other cities is the
type of issue that we are involved with. The complexity of the comprehensive
plan and the waste water issue are incredibly complex.
I believe it is no secret that the key to our success over the first several months
has been the dedication we have to the Communication aspect. I spend believe
that as much as 50% of my time is spent talking to staff, department heads, city
manager, council and the rest of the community. Only in this way are we able to
understand what is going on and what the priority list is as far as the issues that
we need to address.
And last, what may be over looked is that fact that most of us are completing all
of these tasks while trying to run businesses and keeping bosses happy.
Thank you again for your involvement and assistance with the Salary Commission.
Mike DeVleming
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
Please take notice of the following public meeting, to be conducted by the Salary Commission of the City
of Spokane Valley
MEETING DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, June 16, 2004, 4:30 p.m.
MEETING LOCATION: Spokane Valley City Hall, Suite #105 Opportunity Conference
Room
TOPIC: To review and set the salaries of the Mayor and City
Councilmembers
Sue Golman, Spokane Valley
Administrative Assistant
\\SV-FS l\Usm\slanon\Golman, Susie\Salary Commission\NOTICE of Public Meeting.doc
000*
Spokane
..~oOValley
11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 106 1 Spokane Valley WA 99206
509.921.1000 1 Fax: 509.921.1008 ♦ cityha[L@spokanevalley.org
Memorandum
To: Mayor DeVleming and Members of Council
From: Nina Regor, Deputy City Manager
CC: Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission
Date: June 21, 2004
Re: Information Requested from Salary Commission
The Spokane Valley Independent Salary Commission held its first meeting on June 16.
They have requested information from ten Washington cities, who were selected based
upon population. In order to best compare Spokane Valley to these cities, the
Commission is requesting similar information from each of you.
Per Ordinance 04-018, the request is hereby submitted in writing. Following are the
questions/requests. The Commission's next meeting is scheduled for June 30. Any
information you can provide in advance will be appreciated.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of Roles and Responsibilities
Name:
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor of
Spokane Valley.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and, if so, do you feel
you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the commitments of
the Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor?
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet (for example,
participation at community events; membership in community organizations, such as the
Chamber of Commerce; volunteer work outside of Council)?
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into consideration as
it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with those of other cities?
POWERS AND DUTIES OF MAYOR, DEPUTY MAYOR, COUN,CILMEMBERS:
RCW 35A.13.020
Election of councilmen Eligibility Terms Vacancies Forfeiture of office Council
chairman.
In council-manager code cities, eligibility for election to the council, the manner of electing
councilmen, the numbering of council positions, the terms of councilmen, the occurrence and the
filling of vacancies, the grounds for forfeiture of office, and appointment of a mayor pro tempore
or deputy mayor or councilman pro tempore shall be governed by the corresponding provisions
of RCW 35A.12.030, 35A.12.040, 35A.12.050, 35A.12.060, and 35A.12.065 relating to the
council of a code city organized under the mayor-council plan, except that in council-manager
cities where all council positions are at-large positions, the city council may, pursuant to RCW
35A.13.033, provide that the person elected to council position one shall be the council chairman
and shall carry out the duties prescribed by RCW 35A.13.010.
RCW 35A.13.030
Mayor Election Chairman to be mayor Duties.
Biennially at the first meeting of the new council the members thereof shall choose a chairman
from among their number unless the chairman is elected pursuant to RCW 35A.11.033. The
chairman of the council shall have the title of mayor and shall preside at meetings of the council.
In addition to the powers conferred upon him as mayor, he shall continue to have all the rights,
privileges, and immunities of a member of the council. The mayor shall be recognized as the
head of the city for ceremonial purposes and by the governor for purposes of military law. He
shall have no regular administrative duties, but in time of public danger or emergency, if so
authorized by ordinance, shall take command of the police, maintain law, and enforce
order.
RCW 35A.13.035
Mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor.
Biennially at the first meeting of a new council, or periodically, the members thereof, by
majority vote, may designate one of their number as mayor pro tempore or deputy mayor for
such period as the council may specify, to serve in the absence or temporary disability of the
mayor; or, in lieu thereof, the council may, as the need may arise, appoint any qualified person to
serve as mayor pro tempore in the absence or temporary disability of the mayor. In the event of
the extended excused absence or disability of a councilman, the remaining members by majority
vote may appoint a councilman pro tempore to serve during the absence or disability.
RCW 35A.13.230
Powers of council.
The council of any code city organized under the council-manager plan provided in this chapter
shall have the powers and authority granted to legislative bodies of cities governed by this title as
more particularly described in chapter 35A.11 RCW, except insofar as such power and authority
is vested in the city manager.
Chapter 35A.11 RCW
LAWS GOVERNING NONCHARTER CODE CITIES AND CHARTER CODE CITIES -
- POWERS
RCW 35A.11.010
Rights, powers and privileges.
Each city governed under this optional municipal code, whether charter or noncharter, shall be
entitled "City of (naming it), and by such name shall have perpetual succession; may sue
and be sued in all courts and proceedings; use a corporate seal approved by its legislative body;
and, by and through its legislative body, such municipality may contract and be contracted with;
may purchase, lease, receive, or otherwise acquire real and personal property of every kind, and
use, enjoy, hold, lease, control, convey or otherwise dispose of it for the common benefit.
RCW 35A.11.020
Powers vested in legislative bodies of noncharter and charter code cities.
The legislative body of each code city shall have power to organize and regulate its internal
affairs within the provisions of this title and its charter, if any; and to define the functions,
powers, and duties of its officers and employees; within the limitations imposed by vested rights,
to fix the compensation and working conditions of such officers and employees and establish and
maintain civil service, or merit systems, retirement and pension systems not in conflict with the
provisions of this title or of existing charter provisions until changed by the people: PROVIDED,
That nothing in this section or in this title shall permit any city, whether a code city or otherwise,
to enact any provisions establishing or respecting a merit system or system of civil service for
firemen and policemen which does not substantially accomplish the same purpose as provided by
general law in chapter 41.08 RCW for firemen and chapter 41.12 RCW for policemen now or as
hereafter amended, or enact any provision establishing or respecting a pension or retirement
system for firemen or policemen which provides different pensions or retirement benefits than
are provided by general law for such classes.
Such body may adopt and enforce ordinances of all kinds relating to and regulating its local or
municipal affairs and appropriate to the good government of the city, and may impose penalties
of fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or imprisonment for any term not exceeding one year,
or both, for the violation of such ordinances, constituting a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor
as provided therein. However, the punishment for any criminal ordinance shall be the same as
the punishment provided in state law for the same crime. Such a body alternatively may provide
that violation of such ordinances constitutes a civil violation subject to monetary penalty, but no
act which is a state crime may be made a civil violation.
The legislative body of each code city shall have all powers possible for a city or town to have
under the Constitution of this state, and not specifically denied to code cities by law. By way of
illustration and not in limitation, such powers may be exercised in regard to the acquisition, sale,
ownership, improvement, maintenance, protection, restoration, regulation, use, leasing,
disposition, vacation, abandonment or beautification of public ways, real property of all kinds,
waterways, structures, or any other improvement or use of real or personal property, in regard to
all aspects of collective bargaining as provided for and subject to the provisions of chapter 41.56
RCW, as now or hereafter amended, and in the rendering of local social, cultural, recreational,
educational, governmental, or corporate services, including operating and supplying of utilities
and municipal services commonly or conveniently rendered by cities or towns.
In addition and not in limitation, the legislative body of each code city shall have any authority
ever given to an}, class of municipality or to all municipalities of this state before or after the
enactment of this title, such authority to be exercised in the manner provided, if any, by the
granting statute, when not in conflict with this title. Within constitutional limitations, legislative
bodies of code cities shall have within their territorial limits all powers of taxation for local
purposes except those which are expressly preempted by the state as provided in RCW
66.08.120, 82.36.440, 48.14.020, and 48.14.080.
RCW 35A.11.030
Applicability of general law.
Powers of eminent domain, borrowing, taxation, and the granting of franchises may be exercised
by the legislative bodies of code cities in the manner provided in this title or by the general law
of the state where not inconsistent with this title; and the duties to be performed and the
procedure to be followed by such cities in regard to the keeping of accounts and records, official
bonds, health and safety and other matters not specifically provided for in this title, shall be
governed by the general law. For the purposes of this title, "the general law" means any
provision of state law, not inconsistent with this title, enacted before or after the passage of this
title which is by its terms applicable or available to all cities or towns.
RCW 35A.11.040
Intergovernmental cooperation and action.
The legislative body of a code city may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions
including purchasing, and participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, as
provided for in chapter 39.34 RCW. The legislative body of a code city shall have power to
accept any gift or grant for any public purpose and.may carry out any conditions of such gift or
grant when not in conflict with state or federal law.
RCW 35A.11.050
Statement of purpose and policy.
The general grant of municipal power conferred by this chapter and this title on legislative
bodies of noncharter code cities and charter code cities is intended to confer the greatest power
of local self-government consistent with the Constitution of this state and shall be construed
liberally in favor of such cities. Specific mention of a particular municipal power or authority
contained in this title or in the general law shall be construed as in addition and supplementary
to, or explanatory of the powers conferred in general terms by this chapter.
RCW 35A.11.060
Participation in Economic Opportunity Act programs.
The legislative body of any city or town is hereby authorized and empowered in its discretion by
resolution or ordinance passed by a majority of the legislative body, to take whatever action it
deems necessary to enable the city or town to participate in the programs set forth in the
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452; 78 Stat. 508), as amended. Such
participation may be engaged in as a sole city or town operation or in conjunction or cooperation
with the state, any other city or town, county, or municipal corporation, or any private
corporation qualified under said Economic Opportunity Act.
RCW 35A.11.070
Tourist promotion.
See RCW 35.21.700.
RCW 35A.11.080
Initiative and referendum Election to exercise Restriction or abandonment.
The qualified electors or legislative body of a noncharter code city may provide for the exercise
in their city of the powers of initiative and referendum, upon electing so to do in the manner
provided for changing the classification of a city or town in RCW 35A.02.020, 35A.02.025,
35A.02.030, and 35A.02.035, as now or hereafter amended.
The exercise of such powers may be restricted or abandoned upon electing so to do in the
manner provided for abandoning the plan of government of a noncharter code city in RCW
35A.06.030, 35A.06.040, 35A.06.050, and 35A.06.060, as now or hereafter amended.
NOTES: Ordinances of noncharter code cities the qualified electors of which have elected to
exercise the powers of initiative and referendum shall not go into effect before thirty days from
the time of final passage and are subject to referendum during the interim except:
(1) Ordinances initiated by petition;
(2) Ordinances necessary for immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety or for
the support of city government and its existing public institutions which contain a statement of
urgency and are passed by unanimous vote of the council;
(3) Ordinances providing for local improvement districts;
(4) Ordinances appropriating money;
(5) Ordinances providing for or approving collective bargaining;
(6) Ordinances providing for the compensation of or working conditions of city employees;
and
(7) Ordinances authorizing or repealing the levy of taxes; which excepted ordinances shall go
into effect as provided by the general law or by applicable sections of Title 35A RCW as now or
hereafter amended.
[1973 1st ex.s. c 81 § 2.1
RCW 35A.11.100
Initiative and referendum Exercise of powers.
Except as provided in.RCW 35A.11.090, and except that the number of registered voters needed
to sign a petition for initiative or referendum shall be fifteen percent of the total number of
names of persons listed as registered voters within the city on the day of the last preceding city
general election, the powers of initiative and referendum in noncharter code cities shall be
exercised in the manner set forth for the commission form of government in RCW 35.17.240
through 35.17.360, as now or hereafter amended.
[1973 1 st ex.s. c 81 § 3.1
NOTES:
Sufficiency of petition in code city: RCW 35A.01.040.
RCW 35A.11.110
Members of legislative bodies authorized to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law
enforcement officers. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the legislative body of any
code city, by resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of the full legislative body, may authorize
any of its members to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers, or
both, and to receive the same compensation, insurance and other benefits as are applicable to
other volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers employed by the code city.
RCW 35A.11.200
Criminal code repeal by city operating municipal court Agreement covering costs of
handling resulting criminal cases Arbitration. A code city operating a municipal court may
not repeal in its entirety that portion of its municipal code defining crimes unless the
municipality has reached an agreement with the appropriate county under chapter 39.34 RCW
under which the county is to be paid a reasonable amount for costs associated with prosecution,
adjudication, and sentencing in criminal cases filed in district court as a result of the repeal. The
agreement shall include provisions for periodic review and renewal of the terms of the
agreement. If the municipality and the county are unable to agree on the terms for renewal of the
agreement, they shall be deemed to have entered into an agreement to submit the issue to
arbitration under chapter 7.04 RCW. Pending conclusion of the arbitration proceeding, the terms
of the agreement shall remain in effect. The municipality and the county have the same rights
and are subject to the same duties as other parties who have agreed to submit to arbitration under
chapter 7.04 RCW.
NOTES:
Court Improvement Act of 1984 Effective dates Severability Short title 1984 c 258:
See notes following RCW 3.30.010.
RCW 35A.11.210
Juvenile curfews.
(1) Any code city has the authority to enact an ordinance, for the purpose of preserving the
public safety or reducing acts of violence by or against juveniles that are occurring at such rates
as to be beyond the capacity of the police to assure public safety, establishing times and
conditions under which juveniles may be present on the public streets, in the public parks, or in
any other public place during specified hours.
(2) The ordinance shall not contain any criminal sanctions for a violation of the ordinance.
W Page I of 2
Sue Golman
From: Richard Munson
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 7:00 PM
To: Steve Taylor; Stan Schwartz; Richard Munson; Nina Regor; Mike Flanigan; Mike Devleming; Gary
Schimmels; Dick Denenny; Diana Wilhite; Dave Mercier; Cary Driskell; Chris Bainbridge; Sue
Golman
Subject: Fw: Salary Questionairre
FYI
Richard M. Munson
City Councilman
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Original Message
From: Richard M. Munson
To: Nina Reoor
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 2:49 PM
Subject: Salary Questionairre
Attached are my answers.
Spokane Valley Council Survey of Roles and Responsibilities
Name: Richard M. Munson
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Council Member of Spokane Valley.
Read, learn and act on city plans, activities, legislation, finances, problems and solutions and
other situations that relate to city govemment.I am a of the city Finance Committee, Board
member of the STA, Member of the County CDBG Advisory Committee, Vice Chair of the
Spokane County GMA Steering Committee of Elected Officials, Chairman of the Operations and
Administration Committee of the STA, Member of Ad Hoc Committees of both the STA and
GMA Steering Committee of Elected Officials. Member of the Board of Directors of the
Association of Washington Cities. Member of the Weed and Seed Steering Committee.
Member of the Spokane Valley Sheriff's Advisory Committee. Board Member of the Spokane
Area International Trade Association. Member of the National League of Cities Information and
Technologies Committee.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and if so do you feel you're doing
anything outside of those guidelines?
Yes. No.
6/24/2004
Page 2 of 2
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the commitments of the
Council Member?
30-45 per week.
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet (for example,
participation at community events; membership in community organizations, such as the
Chamber of Commerce; volunteer work outside of Council)?
Yes. I attend Spokane Valley Business Association meetings, I participate in numerous dinners,
luncheons and parades sponsored by a number of civic organizations.
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
An additional 5-10 hours per month.
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into consideration as it
compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with those of other cities?
I believe we are challenged more than other city councils with the start up of a new city.
Although the learning of brand new information has been somewhat reduced, we are still faced
with dozens of situations and decisions that most city councils do not have to deal with. It makes
this job challenging, stimulating and enjoyable beyond measure.
Richard M. Munson
City Councilman
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
6/24/2004
Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of Roles and Responsibilities
Name: Steve Taylor
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor of
Spokane Valley.
Represent the interests of 83,000+ citizens in issue areas including level of taxation and
spending, provision of public services, oversight of land use policies, oversight of various
zoning and criminal codes. Represent the citizens of Spokane Valley by serving on
numerous boards and commissions within Spokane County. Remain visible and
accessible to the general public and organizations who are affected by the policies
adopted by the City Council by attending meetings, ceremonies, and gatherings on a
continuous basis.
Undergo continuous process of education on public issues dealing directly and indirectly
with municipal issues. Engage in regional discussions and collaboration with other
governmental entities.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and, if so, do you feel
you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
No specific guidelines beyond those spelled out in the RCW. Most everything
councilmembers do are in addition to and excess of RCW guidelines.
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the commitments of
the Mayor/Deputy Mayor/Councilor?
20-25 hours weekly
Are there other community expectations you feel you do or should meet (for example,
participation at community events; membership in community organizations, such as the
Chamber of Commerce; volunteer work outside of Council)?
Yes, yes, and yes. It is extremely important for Councilmembers to be active in the
community and increase their current community organization involvement to better
represent the interest of their citizens.
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1~+
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
10-15 hours weekly
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into consideration as
it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with those of other cities?
The sheer size and diversity of interests of Spokane Valley and the Councilman's
responsibility to adequately represent those interests should be taken into consideration
when comparing the work of elected officials in various Washington State municipalities.
Spokane Valley Mayor & Council Survey of Roles and Responsibilities
Mike DeVleming
Please summarize your role and responsibilities as Mayor/ council member.
• As 1/7 of the council I am responsible to responsible to prepare for each Council
meeting be reading and understanding all materials that will be discussed at the
meeting. For certain subjects this requires additional research
• As Mayor I am the presiding officer at all council meetings and study sessions.
This requires additional preparation sud7 as: preparing agendas, setting
upcoming schedules, putting together information for the "flow" of the meeting
etc. Some of this is accomplished by the weekly "pre-agenda" meeting held
every month with the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Clerk and Deputy
Mayor.
• As Mayor/ also meet regularly with the City Manager and staff regarding critical
information, staff discussions.
Are there written guidelines for your role and responsibilities and,
Aside from the RCW's that defines such things as open public meetings act and
other rules that public officials are subject to, here is some general information
available from Association of Washington Cities and MRSC that discusses
guidelines for Mayors and councils.
Our council has taken the initiative to create our Governance Manual. This is our
internal book that details our rules and processesfor meeting rules, establishing
ad hoc committees and emergency procedures etc.
However, there really isn't anything that specifically says "as council persm, you
must do this."
if so, do you feel you're doing anything outside of those guidelines?
As Mayor, I am the lead contact for the press and the community. When a story
is breaking, often, the press will contact me first for comments. This coriact is
not limited to business hours. / have had to do TV interviews as late as 10 pm at
night and many times on the weekendsat a variety of sites
The community has not hesitated to contact me at home. I have had citizens
knock on my front door and call me on my home phone.
About how many hours per week would you say you spend fulfilling the
commitments of the Mayor/ Council Member?
My schedule has tapered down to about 30- 32 hours a week.
Are there other community expectations you feel you door should meet?
As Mayor, my presence is requested at most community events and gatherings.
Often, I am asked to give speeches at these events. I (and most of the council)
have been asked to attend:
• Ribbon cuttings
• Grand openings for new business
• Graduations
• On air TV interviews at the various TV stations
• Annual meetings at many businesses
• presentations and readings to many grade school, Jr. and Sr. high school
students
• Boy Scout & Girl Scout (Camp Fire Girls) Award ceremonies
• funerals
In addition to this list, we write occasional articles and guest editorials for the
local papers.
The Mayors office often receives many emails, letters and calls regarding
problems citizens are having within the city. These problems range from pot hole
type complaints to zoning issues and the general process of city government.
While the staff solves
The Valley Council sits on over 27 various area Boards and committee's These
in its self require attending meetings, reviewing minutes and a variety of material
and preparing for the monthly meetings. Many of us attend the weekly and
monthly committee meetings for the Valley Chamber, Spokane Home Builders
Association, Spokane Sheriffs Advisory Board and Spokane Valley Business
Association etc.
If so, what is the time commitment for that participation?
This probably accounts for 10- 20 hours a month.
Are there any other comments you feel the Commission should take into
consideration as it compares the work of Spokane Valley's elected officials with
other cities?
I am sure that all of us will tell you the amount of work it takes to build a city is
substantially more than the work it takes to "maintain" a city. The difference is
the amount of "firsts" that need to be completed. Examples of the types of issues
and projects the council needs to understand and make decisions on would be:
• The many contracts and service agreements
• Computer and phone systems.
• First time budgets
Another difference between us and many of our counterparts in other cities is the
type of issue that we are involved with. The complexity of the comprehensive
plan and the waste water issue are incredibly complex.
I believe it is no secret that the key to our success over the first several months
has been the dedication we have to the Communication aspect. I spend believe
that as much as 50% of my time is spent talking to staff, department heads, city
manager, council and the rest of the community. Only in this way are we able to
understand what is going on and what the priority list is as faras the issues that
we need to address.
And last, what may be over looked is that fact that most of us are completing all
of these tasks while trying to run businesses and keeping bosses happy.
Thank you again for your involvementand assistance with the Salary Commission.
Mike DeVleming
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
WANTED: SALARY COMMISSION MEMBERS
The City of Spokane Valley seeks members to serve on an Independent Salary Commission, the
purpose of which is to review and establish the salaries of the Mayor and the Councilmembers.
The committee will consist of five members. The term of appointment is one year, and the
expected duration of the committee is no more than, one year. Member qualifications include:
U.S. citizenship, and a resident of the City of-Spokane Valley for at least one year. The
Commission will serve without compensation. The first meeting of the Commission shall occur
no later than June 23, 2004; members will also be responsible for filing a report of their
recommendations, by August 9, 2004. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on
this committee, please request an application from:
City of Spokane Valley, City Clerk
11707 E. Sprague Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 921-1000
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