Salary Commission

The City of Bainbridge Island Salary Commission made a determination April 12 to increase salaries for City Council members.

The six-member commission, consisting of all community volunteers, was appointed by the mayor with approval of the City Council in October 2020 and met six times to discuss compensation for the City Council. The commission reviewed the history of Bainbridge Island City Council salaries, salary information for other Washington cities, and cost of living adjustment schedules.

The commission approved the following salary schedule:

  • $3,000 per month for council members or an annual salary of $36,000 per year
  • $4,000 per month for the mayor or an annual salary of $48,000 per year

On April 19, the commission filed the new salary schedule in the form of a report provided to the City Clerk.

On April 30, the commission provided a press release to the City on its determination.

The 2020-2021 commission has included its work.



Established By

Bainbridge Island Municipal Code 2.74

Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval. Visit the agenda center to learn more.

Mission and Responsibilities 

A. Beginning in 2020, and every seven years thereafter, the commission shall have the duty to review the salaries paid by the city to each elected city official. The commission shall complete its review within 120 days of the first meeting of the commission. The City Council may approve a request from the commission for an extension of the 120-day review period. 

 B. If after such review the commission determines that the salary paid to any elected city official should be increased or decreased, the commission shall file a written salary schedule with the city clerk indicating the increase or decrease in salary.

 C. Any increase or decrease in salary established by the commission shall become effective and incorporated into the city budget without further action of the city council or the commission.

 D. Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city elected officials, regardless of their terms of office.

 E. Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent city-elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office.

 F. If after review the commission determines that the salary paid to any elected city official should not be increased or decreased, then the commission shall file a written determination with the city clerk indicating that no salary adjustment is appropriate.

Membership, Appointment, Compensation, Term

A. There is created a salary commission for the city. Members are appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council. The number of members on the commission shall be equal to the number of appointments approved by the city council, but at a minimum the commission shall consist of at least three members. The number of members on the commission may vary, at the city council's discretion, each time a salary commission is appointed under this chapter.

B. A member of the commission shall serve until either: the commission completes its salary review and files a salary schedule with the city clerk; or the commission issues a final determination that no salary adjustment is appropriate. 

C. Beginning in 2020, a salary commission shall be appointed and shall begin a new salary review as provided herein. Every seven years thereafter, a new salary commission shall be appointed to perform a new salary review in accordance with this chapter. 

D. No member of the commission shall be appointed to more than two terms.

E. A member of the commission shall not be an officer, official, or employee of the city or an immediate family member of an officer, official, or employee of the city. For purposes of this section, “immediate family member” means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of an officer, official, or employee of the city, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.

F. A member of the commission shall not be appointed to another city committee, board or commission, except for specialized committees or task forces of limited duration.

 G. Members shall serve without compensation.

H. Members shall sign a conflict of interest statement in accordance with the city’s ethics program upon appointment and any reappointment.