The Annapolis City Council began considering salary increases for future Annapolis elected officials and the city manager Monday evening.

The council voted to introduce a measure that would accept the recommendations made by the Salary Review Commission, made up of six appointed Annapolis residents. The commission was set up in November to review salary data from 13 neighboring jurisdictions in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia. At their public meetings, interviews were held with all eight council members, as well as the mayor and the city manager about their compensation.

The commission determined that current salaries for the 10 positions are “inadequate” and “in many cases significantly below those offered in other comparable jurisdictions around the country.” Several officials, including City Council members and Paul Rankin, chair of the Salary Review Commission, endorsed raises as a way to increase the attractiveness of the jobs and reflect the extensive work hours.

The mayor makes $98,000 annually while council members are paid about $18,500 plus an expense allowance. City Manager Michael Mallinoff was one of the three highest paid city employees last fiscal year, along with.Police Chief Edward Jackson and Fire Chief Douglas Remaley.

The commission recommended increasing the mayor’s salary to $120,000, council members to $32,000 and establishing a range of $250,000 to $294,000 for the city manager.

Of the eight council members, Rhonda Pindell Charles, a Democrat from Ward 3 and one of two mayoral candidates, was the only one to abstain from Monday’s vote.

“While it may not be a legal or ethical issue directly, as a mayoral candidate, I could not vote for this resolution on first reader. I have indicated publicly that during my first two years as mayor, I plan to accept the alderwoman’s salary [$18,000 per year] plus $1.00. The remaining almost $160,000 can be used in ways to support the city, yet to be determined,” she said in an email statement.

Asked if the proposed raise for council members changes her views about what she is willing to accept as mayor, Pindell Charles said she plans to stick to her plan.

Harry Huntley, a Democrat who represents Ward 1, said he is opposed to the increase for himself and would instead prefer to put the money toward hiring support staff and paying for community outreach. However, he did vote to introduce the resolution.

Monday night’s vote does not automatically increase salaries. The council must pass measures involving their own salaries at least three months before the November election. The increases would also have to be incorporated into the city budget. If changes to compensation are adopted, they will not affect the current salaries of the sitting council, Buckley, or Mallinoff but would start with officials who are elected in November.

“We can follow the recommendations of this committee, or we can come up with something of our own,” Mayor Gavin Buckley said of the process Monday night.

The resolution now goes to a public hearing March 10.

Have a news tip? Contact Megan Loock at mloock@baltsun.com or 443-962-5771.