NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Significant pay raises are coming to members of Newport News City Council, including the mayor.
Leaders voted in favor of nearly doubling council salaries on Tuesday, a move made possible by a change in Virginia state law.
The raise passed with a 6-1 result with no discussion from the city council beforehand. Mayor Phillip Jones was the sole member who did not vote in favor, and he did not comment on his decision.
The change will raise the mayor’s salary from $27,000 annually to $51,000. Other council members will make $47,000; that’s up from $25,000. These positions are technically part-time and the pay rate has not been raised since 2002. The changes will go into effect on July 1, 2025.
The decision was met first with positive feedback from members of the city’s Charter Review Committee.
“Our first task is to give our full support for the salary increase for both the mayor and city council,” said a committee representative.
However, some residents said the vote should have been delayed until the public could get more information and give more input.
“The best way to ensure that good governance is to be as transparent as possible and involving every single individual in that process,” said Edwon Whitehead.
Stephen Ferguson added a delay “would show the citizens of Newport News you care about their tax rate.”
BeKura Shabazz with the Injustice Reform Network told the council, that regardless of the organization’s stance on the raise, residents deserved more information about the process.
She explained, “when this issue came up, we were not against it. However, we wanted to make sure there was a process where Newport News residents really understood where their money was going.”
Newport News joins Hampton and Portsmouth as the latest city to approve these salary increases.