At its September 8 meeting, the Leawood City Council gave itself its first pay raise in nine years. Councilmembers approved a 36.4% increase to their base salary and Mayor Marc Elkins received a 50% boost. The changes also include higher mileage and technology allowances, and a new option for elected officials to join the city’s group health‑insurance plan, paying the full premium themselves.
Rationale behind the raise
Councilmembers acknowledged that the decision was uncomfortable. “It’s not easy, as you all may know, to suggest that you give yourself a raise,” said Councilmember Lisa Harrison. “I think everybody understands we’re not in this for the money.” Yet they argued that compensation has not kept pace with the growing workload and inflation since 2018.
Mayor Elkins highlighted the council’s recent focus on major projects such as pedestrian safety improvements, the 135th Street corridor plan, and redevelopment of the former city‑hall and fire‑station site. He noted that the elected positions are technically part‑time, but members often work extensive hours outside regular meetings to address these issues.
Comparison with neighboring jurisdictions
Councilmember Matt Peppes cited Consumer Price Index data showing a 34.9% price increase in the region from January 2018 to June 2026, underscoring the need for salaries that reflect current cost‑of‑living pressures. He also referenced higher base salaries in nearby Johnson County cities: Lenexa ($12,475), Overland Park ($12,800) and Olathe ($15,429) for councilmembers.
A post‑mortem check by the Johnson County Post listed current mayoral and council salaries in the county’s larger cities, ranging from Shawnee’s mayoral base pay of $16,272 to Overland Park’s mayoral base of $50,000. Peppes argued that Leawood’s compensation should be positioned nearer the top of the comparable market, given the city’s high service expectations.
Financial impact and procedural details
The council voted in three separate motions—procedural approval, setting the amounts, and directing staff to include elected officials in health‑care negotiations. All votes were unanimous; Councilmember Steven Kaster was absent. City Administrator Diane Stoddard said the raises will be funded from a $750,000 contingency fund, a negligible impact on the overall budget.
Previously, the 2027 budget proposal had called for modest increases—$400 more for councilmembers (to $11,441) and a $6,393 bump for the mayor (to $26,400). The council’s final decision reflects a broader trend: Johnson County Commissioners raised their pay in 2024 after a 13‑year freeze, and the Kansas Legislature gave its members a 93% raise two years ago, preserving a 4.4% increase for the 2026 session.
Community perspective
Councilmembers Sherrie Gayed and Rachel Rubin argued that higher pay could lower the barrier for citizens who might otherwise be deterred from running for office. Rubin said, “I feel like we’re more than earning our keep here,” emphasizing the value of their public service.
Critics, including some local taxpayers, expressed concern that elected officials should not benefit from salary hikes while other municipal services face budget constraints. Those objections were noted, but the council’s unanimous vote suggests broad internal agreement that the raises are justified.
Looking ahead
The council also directed future salary adjustments to be handled as part of the annual budget process, creating a more predictable mechanism for compensation reviews. This procedural change aims to align elected officials’ pay with the responsibilities they shoulder and to ensure transparency for residents.
Leawood residents can expect continued focus on infrastructure, public safety, and community planning, now supported by compensation that reflects the time and responsibility required of their elected leaders.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
