The Citizens’ Commission on Elected Official Compensation is recommending that, beginning in 2030, the Columbus Mayor's salary increase by 18%, bringing it to over $300,000.
Members of the Columbus City Council would see a 32% jump in pay, pushing their salaries over $100,000. The city attorney and city auditor would get pay raises of 13%.
Here's a breakdown of each position's current compensation along with proposed raises that would happen between 2030-2033.
Columbus Mayor
- 2026 – $273,063
- 2030 – 18% increase in 2029 salary + COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment)
- 2031 – 2030 salary + COLA
- 2032 – 2031 salary + COLA
- 2033 – 2032 salary + COLA
Columbus Councilmember
- 2026 – $96,453
- 2030 – 32% increase in 2029 salary + COLA
- 2031 – 2030 salary + COLA
- 2032 – 2031 salary + COLA
- 2033 – 2032 salary + COLA
Columbus Council President
- 2026 – $116,032
- 2030 – 32% increase in 2029 salary + COLA
- 2031 – 2030 salary + COLA
- 2032 – 2031 salary + COLA
- 2033 – 2032 salary + COLA
Columbus City Auditor
- 2026 – $248,345
- 2030 – 13% increase in 2029 salary + COLA
- 2031 – 2030 salary + COLA
- 2032 – 2031 salary + COLA
- 2033 – 2032 salary + COLA
City Attorney
- 2026 – $248,345
- 2030 – 13% increase in 2029 salary + COLA
- 2031 – 2030 salary + COLA
- 2032 – 2031 salary + COLA
- 2033 – 2032 salary + COLA
The commission said several factors played into their recommendations, including the responsibility of these roles, as well as the amount of time being spent working in each position.
As a part of this report, the commission conducted a salary benchmark survey that included data from 23 other municipalities across the country. The survey found that all but one of the Columbus' elected positions already paid well above the market rate.
The commission noted that conducting a survey was difficult because of different forms of city government as well as various roles and responsibilities.
The report also stated the commission wanted to compensate officials at or above the market rate. They also noted Columbus was growing faster than 70% of the cities surveyed and had a larger population that 78% of the cities surveyed.
Councilmember Rob Dorans acknowledged that the recommended increases are significant, especially with what city officials have said is a tight city budget.
"We have to consider what's appropriate, considering the budget," he said.
Dorans said City Council won't take up the recommendations soon but will by the end of the year. "It's not a huge priority," he said.
He said it would be prudent to wait to see how collective bargaining negotiations go with city unions.
