Herndon Town Council considers first pay increase in 15 years

The Herndon Town Council is considering its first pay increase in nearly 15 years.

If the proposal is approved, the next town council would see its annual pay switch from $4,000 per council member to $10,000 and change from $6,000 to $12,000 for mayor.

Town spokesperson Anne Curtis told FFXnow that the current town council authorized exploration of the pay increase.

“A review of the council pay policy was requested by the town council as one of their strategic initiatives,” Curtis said.

The council is set to discuss the proposal with staff at a meeting tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m.

The proposed change would impact the budget by increasing the compensation for the elected body from a current annual amount of $30,000 to a new amount of $72,000 per year.

The town, which has a population of roughly 24,000, lags behind the average pay for mayors and governing bodies, even for smaller jurisdictions.

If the proposal is approved, the changes would bring the town’s pay policy in line with the City of Fairfax, which has a comparable population. The city’s governing body receives $12,000 per council member and $13,000 for its mayor; that’s the most allowed for a city of its size under Virginia law.

The Town of Vienna, which has a population of 16,000, pays $5,000 to council members and $7,500 to its mayor. The City of Manassas, which has a population of 41,000, offers the highest pay of municipalities sampled: $20,000 for mayor and $15,759 for council members.

Herndon Town Council’s consideration of a pay increase is in early planning phases. A public hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Changes would not be instituted until the next council is seated on Jan. 1, 2023.