Councilor to ditch proposal to raise mayor’s pay

The co-author of a City County Council proposal to raise the pay of Indianapolis' mayor and of city-county councilors said she no longer intends to seek a salary hike for the mayor.

The proposal—co-authored by Democrat Mary Moriarty Adams and Republican Jeff Miller—would boost the mayor’s pay by $30,000, to $125,000 per year. It would increase the pay for city-county councilors to $16,400 per year, up from $11,400.

Moriarty Adams on Monday said she would seek to amend the proposal Tuesday to remove the portion dealing with higher mayoral compensation.

"I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with both Mayor Greg Ballard’s administration and Mayor-Elect Joe Hogsett’s incoming administration," Moriarty Adams said in a written statement. "Both have expressed significant concerns with the section dealing with the mayor’s salary.”

The portion of the proposal that would lift councilor pay is pending in committee and could be moved to the full council as soon as Tuesday night.

The mayor and the council have not had a salary increase since 2002.

In addition to his salary, the mayor is provided a car and an expense account.

Members of the council also receive $112 for each regular council meeting they attend (up to 21 per year) and $62 for each committee meeting they attend (up to 40 per year). Members can receive additional pay for serving in leadership roles.