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Colorado Springs City Council Approves Salary Hike for Next Mayor

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Colorado Springs City Council unanimously approved a salary increase for the city's next mayor, effective June 6, from $114,159 to $129,740. This decision comes as the city prepares for its May 16 mayoral runoff election, where either former City Councilman Wayne Williams or entrepreneur Yemi Mobolade will be elected as the city's next mayor. The salary hike is required by the city charter, which mandates adjustments every four years based on inflation, as measured by the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city charter requires the mayor's salary to be adjusted every four years based on inflation, as measured by the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index.
  • The salary increase from $114,159 to $129,740 is a 13% increase, reflecting the 13.4% increase in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index over the past four years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, [1]).
  • The city's next mayor will serve a full four-year term, with the potential for a second term under term limits, which preclude Mayor John Suthers from running again for the office.
  • Former Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach was paid $96,000 a year when he was elected in 2011, while Mayor John Suthers was paid $103,370 a year in 2015 and received a regularly scheduled pay raise to $114,159 in 2019.
  • The city's May 16 mayoral runoff election will determine whether former City Councilman Wayne Williams or entrepreneur and political newcomer Yemi Mobolade will be the city's next mayor.
  • The city clerk's office mailed ballots for the runoff election to active, registered voters in city limits the week of April 24, with voters having until Monday, May 15 to return their ballots.

Statistics:

  • The Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index increased by 13.4% over the past four years (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, [1]).
  • The mayor's salary increase from $114,159 to $129,740 represents a 13% increase, matching the rate of inflation over the past four years.
  • The city's next mayor will be elected on May 16, 2023, in the city's mayoral runoff election.
  • Voter turnout for the runoff election is expected to be high, with voters having several options for returning their ballots, including secure drop-off locations throughout the city.

Sources:

[1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO"

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