Council Compensation Public Comment from Codilyn EvensonAimee Brunckhorst
From: Codilyn Evenson <codilyn@icloud.com>
Sent: Monday, August 3, 2026 3:53 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Council Compensation
To Whom it may concern,
I understand that Kalispell's mayor and council members are compensated at a lower rate than elected
officials in some comparable Montana cities. I also recognize and appreciate the time, preparation and
responsibility required to serve on the city council.
However, Kalispell's full-time employees also operated below comparable -market wages for many
years. Those employees were not given a 108% increase all at once. Their wages have been adjusted
gradually through the budget process and through the same percentage increases approved for other
employees.
I believe the same reasonable and responsible approach should be taken with council compensation. A
108% salary increase at one time is excessive, especially when council members may already receive
city -paid health insurance and retirement contributions in addition to their salaries.
Based on the city's published budget figures, the Mayor and Council currently have a combined
departmental budget of approximately $218,000. When the proposed salary increase, benefits,
estimated payroll costs, dues, training, meeting expenses, supplies and other expenses are considered,
that annual cost could approach $300,000.
I am not suggesting that council members should never receive an increase. I am asking that any
increase happen gradually and at the same percentage rate approved for the city's other employees. If a
3%, 4% or 5% adjustment is considered fair for the people performing the city's daily work, that same
percentage should be considered fair for its elected officials.
Council service is important, but it is also public service. Compensation should be reasonable,
transparent and fiscally responsible. A gradual adjustment would recognize the work council members
perform without placing such a significant increase on Kalispell taxpayers all at once.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Codilyn Evenson