Atlanta City Council plans to slash pay bumps for members, mayor
Atlanta City Council members decided to slash in half recommended salary increases for themselves and the mayor that will take effect in January 2026.
A commission charged with reviewing elected officials’ compensation every few years recently released their newest recommended salary increases for the city’s top politicians. The report suggested the mayor’s salary be bumped by more than $68,000; a $49,000 increase for City Council members; and a $58,000 boost for council president.
Instead, council members signaled they’d pass legislation to increase their pay by $27,000 to a total $99,930 annually. The mayor’s salary would increase by $34,135 to $236,865. And council president will see a $29,250 bump to $103,250.
Longtime Council member Howard Shook — who has served on the body for more than two decades — said that when he was first elected, his salary was $22,000 and that the demands of the job go beyond a part-time.
“It’s tough to do this, your constituents expect you to be up to your ankles in water in their basement at all times in the day or night,” he said Monday.
Council President Doug Shipman joined committee members on Monday to voice his support for cutting the raises, and said that he hopes it sends a positive message to the city’s front line workers and employees.
“We understand that, yes, there is a balance between the work that is done and the amount of time that it takes,” he said. “And also the quality and support (from) the entire city workforce.”
About the Author
Riley Bunch is a reporter on the local government team at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering Atlanta City Hall. She covers the mayor and Atlanta City Council while also keeping an eye on the city’s diverse neighborhoods.
