Port Angeles City Council votes to double compensation

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to double council compensation.

It also voted 4-2 to add a $200 travel stipend.

The first reading of a proposed ordinance is to be read at the council’s next meeting. May 2 at 6 p.m. is the next regular meeting of the council. If approved, the ordinance would be effective on Jan. 1, 2024 for new council terms.

Five current city council members’ terms will be up at the end of this year.

Also under consideration is a provision that council compensation increase by a small percentage each year.

Council last increased its pay in 2003. Current council members receive $550 per month, the deputy mayor gets $600, and mayor $650. By voting to double the compensation, the next council would see members receiving $1,100 per month, the deputy mayor $1,200, and the mayor $1,300.

Council also approved a $200 stipend for travel. Staff initially proposed a $125 stipend but Council member LaTrisha Suggs moved to amend the proposed stipend and increase it to $200 which was approved in a 4-2 vote.

Council member Charlie McCaughan voted against both the pay increase and the travel stipend, without comment.

Mayor Kate Dexter joined him in voting against the travel stipend, saying she thought it was too high.

For more about the council action, see the Thursday edition of the Peninsula Daily News.

More in News

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy