At the last City Council meeting, Councilor Klarissa Peña proposed an amendment to change the way salary increases work so all councilors receive a raise at the same time.
Currently, some make more than others after the Citizens’ Independent Salary Commission — the commission that determines their salaries — decided last year that councilors needed a raise.
The 87% raise increased the councilors’ salaries by $29,000, but it only went into effect after an election, meaning those who were already in office will not receive the increase until 2026 due to the staggered council district elections.
This means councilors in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 — whose term began in 2022 — are paid less than councilors in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 — whose term began in 2024.
Peña’s amendment states that if the commission chooses to implement another salary increase, all councilors will receive it at the same time. If it passes, the amendment will not go into effect until 2026, meaning it would not apply to the current council.
“I am one of the councilors that gets paid about half of what some of the other councilors get paid,” Tammy Fiebelkorn said during the meeting. “I would love to see us spend some time thinking through how to fix this problem of pay inequality on council, but certainly not something I think we need to rush through tonight.”
Most of the councilors agreed with Fiebelkorn but said they were voting against the amendment in order to give it further review so it can be discussed when the council convenes in August.
Here’s how much Albuquerque city councilors make:
- Louie Sanchez, District 1: $33,660
- Joaquín Baca, District 2: $62,843
- Klarissa Peña, District 3: $33,660
- Brook Bassan, District 4: $62,843
- Dan Lewis, District 5: $35,860 (council president salary)
- Nichole Rogers, District 6: $62,843
- Tammy Fiebelkorn, District 7: $33,660
- Dan Champine, District 8: $62,843
- Renée Grout, District 9: $33,660
Bernalillo County commissioners each make $39,106 annually plus benefits.
Albuquerque Public Schools board members are not paid a salary but they receive a per diem of $95 if they attend a meeting for four hours or more or $45 if they attend a meeting for less than four hours.
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