Puyallup Council Salary Commission Meeting – July 29, 2026

The Council Salary Commission met at 5:04 PM on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Chair Stephanie Holmes presided with four of five commissioners present (Vice‑Chair Ajay Garg, Commissioner Erin Ruff, Commissioner Jeffrey Veal); Commissioner Andrea Thomson was absent. Staff member Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca also attended. The meeting was adjourned at 5:13 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the Agenda – Motion by Vice‑Chair Garg, seconded by Commissioner Veal. Passed 4‑0.
• Approval of Minutes (March 11, 2026) – Motion by Vice‑Chair Garg, seconded by Commissioner Ruff. Passed 4‑0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bud Metzger (District 3) – During citizen comments, Mr. Metzger voiced opposition to any increase in City Council salaries. He cited the current economic pressures felt by residents, noted that hospital nurses had recently testified about their own salary struggles, and argued that a raise (he referenced a potential $12,000 increase) would be insensitive to the community’s financial challenges. He suggested the money could be spent in other ways to help those in need.
• Public Hearing (Setting 2026 Council Salaries) – Chair Holmes opened the hearing at 5:09 PM. Bud Metzger again spoke, reminding the commission and the public that the commission must follow the criteria in the Puyallup Municipal Code, which prohibits considering health‑care benefits when setting salaries. He also pointed out that the comparison cities (e.g., Des Moines, Bothell) are those within a 25% population range of Puyallup. The hearing was closed at 5:11 PM.

Discussion Items

• Compensation Comparables Chart 2026 – Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca presented the updated chart. Key changes included minor population increases, updated median figures, and the inclusion of a few cities that recently established their own council salary commissions. For example, Olympia raised its council salaries by 3.8%. The median comparison shifted: Puyallup’s deputy mayor and council member positions were above the median last year but now fall below, while the mayor’s position remained above the median. The population‑based comparisons were unchanged.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken on adjusting City Council salaries for 2026. The commission received public testimony and reviewed the updated compensation comparables chart. Commissioner comments were brief, with no additional discussion or motions. The meeting adjourned without further action.
• The commission will presumably consider the information gathered in a future meeting before making a final salary determination.