But they’re smaller than recommended by Compensation Review Commission,.
Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County’s Executive and County Council Members are getting pay raises, but not as much as recommended by the Compensation Review Commission.
On Tuesday, the County Council voted to increase the County Executive and Council members pay incrementally over the next few years. Under this motion, the County Executive, whose current salary is $137,000 annually, would receive a raise to $143,000 in fiscal year 2027. In fiscal years 2029 to 2030, the County Executive’s pay would increase to $150,000. The Commission had recommended the County Executive be paid $162,000 annually.
For the Council members, their pay would go from $35,000 annually to $36,500 in December 2026. That salary would increase in fiscal year 2029 to $38,000. The recommendation from the Commission would set Council members’ pay at $42,000 a year.
Councilwoman M.C. Keegan-Ayer, who made the passing motions, said the Compensation Review Commission’s salary recommendations were too high. “I also think leaving the salaries where they are now is not fair to either the new Council coming in or the new County Executive based on the responsibilities and the expectation for them in their roles, and the issues that they’re going to have to be dealing with,” she said.
These new salary adjustments take affect when the individuals elected as County Council members and County Executive are sworn into office in December, 2026.
The vote for the salary increases for the County Council was 4-3 with Council President Brad Young, and Council members Steve McKay and Mason Carter voting “no.” For the salary increases for the County Executive, the vote was 5-2 with Council President Young and Council Member Carter in opposition.
While voting against the motion for a pay raise for Council members, McKay voted for a salary increase for the County Executive. “Generally speaking, I’m inclined to support higher compensation for the County Executive. and have been. I just don’t think this is the right time or budget climate to do so,” he say, prior to the vote on the salary adjustments.
Council Member Carter voted against both motions to increase compensation. “This is a very, very poor time to raise compensation when we’re faced with uncertainty from the federal government, and added pressure from the state government,” he said. “And I think, all in all, voting in favor of such a raise at this point demonstrate to our residents that our priorities are out of whack.”
Vice President Duckett says increasing salaries for local elected officials could attract more people of different backgrounds to run for office. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: public service should not be limited to those who can afford to serve at a low salary. It should be accessible to all those who have a passion, knowledge and first-hand understanding of the challenges facing our community,” he said.
By Kevin McManus