Posted: June 03, 2025
Rapid City
Agenda Item Summary

Agenda Item Ref. #: LF061125-03 Resolution No. 2025-073

Agenda Item Title:

Resolution Number 2025-073, a Resolution Establishing Wage Rates for City Alderpersons and Mayors

Origination Group:
Legal & Finance Committee
Origination Meeting Date:
06/11/2025
City Council Hearing Date:
06/16/2025
Petitioner:
Finance Office
Staff Contact:
Daniel Ainslie, Finance Director
Location:
Council Chambers
Agenda Item Summary:
Background: The last salary adjustment for the City Council was implemented in January 2011, at which time the salary was increased to $12,928.57 as a reflection of a Consumer Price Increase. Since that time, the City has consistently strived to fairly and competitively compensate its employees—a standard that should equally apply to its elected officials.

Inflationary Impact: According to the Bureau of Labor All Urban Consumers (Midwest Region, which includes Rapid City), the regional inflationary impact over the past fourteen years has been approximately 39.93%.

Population Growth Impact: In addition to inflation, increased population contributes to higher job complexity and intensity. The Census Bureau’s most recent estimate for Rapid City’s population on July 1, 2023, is 79,404, compared to the 2010 Census figure of 67,956. Accounting for one additional year using an average annual growth rate of 2.1% (calculated from 2020 to 2023), the estimated population increases to approximately 81,071. This represents a 19.3% overall growth since 2011.

When combining both the inflationary increase and the population growth, the appropriate annual salary for Council members would be approximately $21,582.50.

Recommended Enhancements to Elected Officials Wage Policy: To ensure equitable compensation moving forward, it is recommended that both Council and Mayor salaries be adjusted annually based on the same Consumer Price Index (CPI) metric used for non-union employees.

Funding Source & Fiscal Impact (if applicable):

Funding Cost Center

Recommendations:

Origination Recommendation Notes:
No Staff Recommendation

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