Jackson advances ordinance raising mayor/council salaries starting Jan. 2027
A draft ordinance before Jackson’s March 16 Town Council meeting would set pay at $53,000 for mayor and $44,000 for councilors, effective for officials sworn in on/after Jan. 1, 2027. Staff said there’s no FY26 cost; FY27 impact estimated at $8,764.
Jackson’s Town Council was scheduled March 16 to take up Ordinance E on second reading, an update to the municipal code that sets elected officials’ compensation as required by state law. The ordinance would pay the mayor $53,000 per year and each councilor $44,000, in equal monthly installments, for officials sworn in on or after Jan. 1, 2027. (Current officeholders would stay on the existing schedule set in Ordinance 1371.)
In a staff report, the town said council discussed “key questions” at a Feb. 17 meeting and then adopted Ordinance E on first reading March 2. Staff recommended approving the ordinance on second reading “as presented,” noting the change aligns with a comprehensive plan theme of “quality community service provision” by potentially expanding who can afford to serve.
Financially, staff estimated the FY27 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027) impact at $8,764, representing the difference between current and proposed pay plus associated FICA and pension costs; staff said there would be no FY26 impact because the fiscal year ends before newly elected officials take office in January 2027. See the ordinance text and staff report in the Town Council Regular Meeting Agenda Packet.
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2026 | Town Council Regular Meeting Agenda Packet | packet |