Betsy Wilkerson, City Council President, No Phone Number Available
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 10:07 a.m.
During the final meeting of the Salary Review Commission (SRC) meeting on Friday, August 28, 2026, the Commission discussed upcoming changes to Council salaries and made a final determination. Below is the following statement from Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson:
City Council President Betsy Wilkerson
“We understand residents' concerns about the Salary Review Commission’s decision to increase compensation for City Council Members amid significant budget challenges.
The Spokane City Council established the Salary Review Commission in 2007, following the 2001 enactment of state law authorizing salary commissions (RCW 35.21), to set salaries for the Mayor, Council President, and Council Members, ensuring that compensation reflects their responsibilities and encourages high-quality individuals to enter public service. The Commission’s five members are nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council. Its decisions are final and incorporated into the City’s budget without Council approval.
We want to be transparent about the Council’s role in this process. At the Commission's invitation, two Council Members testified about the demands of their roles. Nonetheless, the responsibility for determining compensation rests solely with the Commission. So, while Council testimony provided information for the Commission’s consideration, the ultimate authority and responsibility for determining compensation remained with the Commission.
We recognize that community concerns about the timing of this decision are valid. We also know that Commission members were mindful of the budget challenges facing the City and considered them alongside a multitude of other factors and hundreds of pages of material. As Council Members, we know the work the Commission put into their decision, and we respect the independent process of reviewing elected officials' pay.
The Commission’s resolution includes a dissent from Chair Reed Jessen, who called for greater clarity on Council Members’ duties and suggested that voters should have the chance to amend the City Charter and vote on future salary increases. Currently, such changes can be challenged through a referendum.
As Council President, I commit to transparency about this process and decisions within our control, while focusing on responsible stewardship of public resources to improve the City’s financial standing.”
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