Pay raise approved for Rochester Hills mayor

Rochester Hills City Council on Monday, June 18, approved granting a two-percent salary increase in 2019 for Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, as well as department directors.

The increase will result in a $2,515 salary budget increase, as well as a step increase of $2,846, which is a merit-based increase, bringing Barnett's total salary in 2019 to $132,120.

The increase follows the recommendations set forth in a compensation study by McGrath Human Resources Group that was presented to council in July 2017. The study recommended the city update its salary schedule in 2019 and 2020.

"Step rate increases are based on merit. They aren't automatic," said Rochester Hills Human Resources Director Pam Gordon. "There are a total of six steps on the salary schedule in terms of directors, and the mayor's salary is also part of that salary schedule."

The city's human resources technical review committee recommended the increases. The committee also rejected any increase in salary for city council members for 2019, instead maintaining the same salary for council members that has been in effect for the past decade.

"For city council, it's not about being paid," said councilwoman Susan Bowyer. "It's about wanting to do this job for the city and the residents."