- November 21, 2024
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by: Mayor David Alfin
When I was sworn into office as your mayor, I vowed to “well and faithfully perform the duties of the office of mayor.” My oath promised you that I would be watchful of everything that pertains to the future quality of life we enjoy in Palm Coast.
I therefore want to go on record stating that I believe it is appropriate to consider increasing salaries for your City Council and also want you to know that I am paying close attention to your reactions to this compensation proposal.
My reasons and justifications are many. This is not about me or our individual council members’ needs. This is about managing, planning for and protecting the future of Palm Coast with diverse, qualified leaders who have a smart management growth mentality. We should appeal to people who can afford to give us their time and talent — not only because they believe in service to their community, but also because they are suitably remunerated, based on their commitment and responsibility.
I believe that raising salaries would expand our pool of competent applicants, giving us a City Council we expect, need, and deserve.
Before I go further, I’d like to set the record straight about some of the misinformation floating around in our community. Here are three facts to consider:
1: Increasing salaries for City Council will not raise your taxes. Remuneration would be equal to only about 0.07% of our already established annual budget. Increased compensation will also not take funds away from any community service already determined in council’s strategic plan.
2: An improvement to finding and keeping qualified council members is a goal I’ve supported from the very beginning of my tenure. I have been advocating candidate development via effective succession planning at every local organization meeting that I’ve been invited to attend. This should be an ongoing process for community groups to purposefully identify qualified and suitable successors for future governance roles.
3: Our Charter states that City Council must establish its compensation via ordinance, not on a ballot. This proposed ordinance would be formally introduced at a scheduled City Council meeting and is required by law to be heard at two public hearings. Both meetings will be open for to the public for comment. The meetings are noticed per the Florida Statutes and are also posted to the web before council meetings.
With all that said, please consider the following analysis:
Palm Coast was founded over 22 years ago with only 32,732 residents. Its population has tripled since. With the acquisition of the utility department, its budget has grown sevenfold.
It is not the salary percentage increase that is relevant, it is the salary itself. City Council service has become a full-time job with part-time pay. City Council is responsible for correcting lingering mistakes and providing the best possible resources.
Increased compensation for City Council members should attract candidates in future elections. More candidates are likely to offer more experience and a wider variety of skill sets necessary to "provide for the exercise of its powers and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city - including all legislative and police powers provided by law."
Strategic planning, budget preparation, tax-millage rate approval, communication with the public, speaking engagements at groups or clubs, maintaining public records, hiring and supervising the city manager and city attorney, City Council meetings and workshops, and more are just a few examples of the duties and responsibilities of council members in 2022.
Twenty-nine City Council members have served the city since incorporation. The average age is over 65 years old. The challenge of future growth requires understanding budgets, land development, comprehensive planning, land use planning, lobbying for state appropriations, regional and interlocal agreements, service contract language, negotiation and performance evaluation. The public is best served with the largest number of candidates available in order to select the best possible City Council members to serve the community at the highest level.
Palm Coast City Council members do not receive pensions, cost of living increases, health care or other service benefits like those received by county commissioners or School Board members. Annual salaries (not including expenses or benefits) for county commissioners is $54,746 and School Board members is $34,594.
The term may linger from the distant past when minimal time and effort were required to approve city operations. Monthly workshops and business meetings, agenda analysis, City manager meetings, facility visits, public and municipal public appearances, and attendance at monthly appointed committee meetings in itself is a full-time job. Council members offering their full share of skill, care, and diligence invest more than a full-time effort to the job.
My business career spans nearly 50 years across 62 countries. The laws of supply and demand support the theory that hiring employees possessing valuable credentials are scarce and more demanded. Their employment is usually dependent on market or better compensation being offered.
The opinions I’ve described here are my own. My research and conclusions on this matter openly and authentically reflect my genuine concern for meeting the growing needs of a prospering community. Palm Coast was blessed with dedicated, thoughtful, pragmatic founders. Palm Coast deserves to attract the largest number of diverse and worthy candidates who fulfill their commitment to our community at the highest level.
David I. Alfin
Mayor of Palm Coast
