Montgomery County Council members approved a 6.3 percent raise for themselves on Tuesday ? in an election year and coming after a year with a 4.8 percent growth in regional consumer prices.
The council approved a compensation package for elected officials that increases council members? annual pay from $79,721 to $84,721 this December, and to $89,721 the following year. After that, unless the council votes to revisit the issue, members? salaries would be tied to consumer prices. The council president gets an extra 10 percent.
Council members in Montgomery County make considerably more than their counterparts in similarly sized counties in the area, including Fairfax, whose members earn $59,000, and Prince George?s at $73,114. However, committee members noted that “many Montgomery County employees make considerably more than council members, including members of their own staffs and such officials as the council?s staff director.”
The next county executive will not get such a sweet deal. After seeing 5 percent annual increases since 2002, the executive salary, currently $158,285, will grow just 2 percent to 3 percent annually over the next four years.
There was no debate Tuesday on the bill or its amendments. The votes followed to the letter recommendations of a compensation study committee appointed last July.
Who else gets a raise in Montgomery County?
» 22.5% for the sheriff: From $102,000 to $125,000 annually
» 7.2% for the state?s attorney: From $149,215 to $160,000
