North Liberty approves first pay increase for mayor, council in nearly two decades

North Liberty's City Council approved substantial pay raises for the mayor and councilors, marking the first increase in nearly twenty years. Starting January 1, 2026, councilors will earn $5,000 annually, a significant jump from the previous $50 per meeting, which totaled around $1,300 per year. The mayor's salary will rise from $5,000 to $12,000, aligning it more closely with averages in similarly sized cities. The council's decision followed three votes required by Iowa law, culminating in the final approval on October 28. City Administrator Ryan Heiar reminded councilors to think about the future impact of these raises beyond their personal compensation.

Furthermore, councilors expressed interest in amending city code for annual cost-of-living adjustments to prevent another long gap in pay increases. In a related development, the council transferred the responsibility of hiring and firing the police chief to the city administrator, enhancing clarity in governance. This change aims to streamline administrative duties and ensure direct accountability to the council.