RCW 35.21.015
Salary commissions.
(1) Salaries for elected officials of towns and cities may be set by salary commissions established in accordance with city charter or by ordinance and in conformity with this section.
(2) The members of such commissions shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of a city charter, or as specified in this subsection:
(a) Shall be appointed by the mayor with approval of the city council;
(b) May not be appointed to more than two terms;
(c) May only be removed during their terms of office for cause of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office or for a disqualifying change of residence; and
(d) May not include any officer, official, or employee of the city or town or any of their immediate family members. "Immediate family member" as used in this subsection means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official, or employee, whether or not living in the household of the officer, official, or employee.
(3) Any change in salary shall be filed by the commission with the city clerk and shall become effective and incorporated into the city or town budget without further action of the city council or salary commission.
(4) Salary increases established by the commission shall be effective as to all city or town elected officials, regardless of their terms of office.
(5) Salary decreases established by the commission shall become effective as to incumbent city or town elected officials at the commencement of their next subsequent terms of office.
(6) Salary increases and decreases shall be subject to referendum petition by the people of the town or city in the same manner as a city ordinance upon filing of such petition with the city clerk within thirty days after filing of the salary schedule. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, the salary increase or decrease shall not go into effect until approved by vote of the people.
(7) Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city or town at the next following general or municipal election occurring thirty days or more after the petition is filed, and shall be otherwise governed by the provisions of the state Constitution, or city charter, or laws generally applicable to referendum measures.
(8) The action fixing the salary by a commission established in conformity with this section shall supersede any other provision of state statute or city or town ordinance related to municipal budgets or to the fixing of salaries.
(9) Salaries for mayors and councilmembers established under an ordinance or charter provision in existence on July 22, 2001, that substantially complies with this section shall remain in effect unless and until changed in accordance with such charter provision or ordinance.
[ 2001 c 73 § 4.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2001 c 73: "The legislature hereby finds and declares that:
(1) Article XXX, section 1 of the state Constitution permits midterm salary increases for municipal officers who do not fix their own compensation;
(2) The Washington citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials established pursuant to Article XXVIII, section 1 of the state Constitution with voter approval has assured that the compensation for state and county elected officials will be fair and certain, while minimizing the dangers of midterm salary increases being used to influence those officers in the performance of their duties;
(3) The same public benefits of independent salary commissions should be extended to the setting of compensation of municipal elected officers; and
(4) This act is intended to clarify the intent of the legislature that existing state law authorizes:
(a) The establishment of independent salary commissions to set the salaries of city or town elected officials, county commissioners, and county councilmembers; and
(b) The authority of the voters of such cities, towns, and counties to review commission decisions to increase or decrease such salaries by means of referendum." [ 2001 c 73 § 1.]
Severability—2001 c 73: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 2001 c 73 § 6.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 35.21 - Miscellaneous Provisions.
35.21.005 - Sufficiency of petitions.
35.21.010 - General corporate powers—Towns, restrictions as to area.
35.21.015 - Salary commissions.
35.21.020 - Auditoriums, art museums, swimming pools, etc.—Power to acquire.
35.21.030 - Auxiliary water systems for protection from fire.
35.21.070 - Cumulative reserve fund—Authority to create.
35.21.080 - Cumulative reserve fund—Annual levy for—Application of budget law.
35.21.085 - Payrolls fund—Claims fund.
35.21.086 - Payrolls fund—Transfers from insolvent funds.
35.21.087 - Employee checks, drafts, warrants—City, town may cash.
35.21.088 - Equipment rental fund.
35.21.090 - Dikes, levees, embankments—Authority to construct.
35.21.100 - Donations—Authority to accept and use.
35.21.110 - Ferries—Authority to acquire and maintain.
35.21.120 - Solid waste handling system—Contracts.
35.21.130 - Solid waste or recyclable materials collection—Ordinance.
35.21.135 - Solid waste or recyclable materials collection—Curbside recycling—Reduced rate.
35.21.140 - Garbage—Notice of lien—Foreclosure.
35.21.150 - Garbage—Lien—Priority.
35.21.152 - Solid waste handling—Agreements—Purposes—Terms and conditions.
35.21.154 - Solid waste—Compliance with chapter 70A.205 RCW required.
35.21.157 - Solid waste collection—Rate increase notice.
35.21.160 - Jurisdiction over adjacent waters.
35.21.163 - Penalty for act constituting a crime under state law—Limitation.
35.21.165 - Driving while under the influence of liquor or drug—Minimum penalties.
35.21.175 - Offices to be open certain days and hours.
35.21.180 - Ordinances—Adoption of codes by reference.
35.21.185 - Ordinances—Information pooling.
35.21.190 - Parkways, park drives, and boulevards.
35.21.192 - Urban agriculture zone.
35.21.194 - Community gardens.
35.21.200 - Residence qualifications of appointive officials and employees.
35.21.203 - Recall sufficiency hearing—Payment of defense expenses.
35.21.205 - Liability insurance for officials and employees.
35.21.207 - Liability insurance for officers and employees authorized.
35.21.209 - Insurance and workers' compensation for offenders performing community restitution.
35.21.210 - Sewerage, drainage, and water supply.
35.21.215 - Powers relative to systems of sewerage.
35.21.217 - Utility services—Deposit—Tenants' delinquencies—Notice—Lien.
35.21.220 - Sidewalks—Regulation of use of.
35.21.225 - Transportation benefit districts.
35.21.230 - Streets over tidelands declared public highways.
35.21.240 - Streets over tidelands—Control of.
35.21.250 - Streets and alleys over first-class tidelands—Control of.
35.21.260 - Streets—Annual report to secretary of transportation.
35.21.270 - Streets—Records of funds received and used for construction, repair, maintenance.
35.21.275 - Street improvements—Provision of supplies or materials.
35.21.278 - Contracts with community service organizations for public improvements—Limitations.
35.21.280 - Tax on admissions—Exceptions.
35.21.290 - Utility services—Lien for—Emergency declaration.
35.21.305 - Utility connection charges—Waiver for low-income persons.
35.21.310 - Removal of overhanging or obstructing vegetation—Removal, destroying debris.
35.21.315 - Amateur radio antennas—Local regulation to conform with federal law.
35.21.320 - Warrants—Interest rate—Payment.
35.21.333 - Chief of police or marshal—Eligibility requirements.
35.21.334 - Chief of police or marshal—Background investigation.
35.21.335 - Chief of police or marshal—Vacancy.
35.21.340 - Cemeteries and funeral facilities.
35.21.350 - Civil service in police and fire departments.
35.21.360 - Eminent domain by cities and towns.
35.21.370 - Joint county and city hospitals.
35.21.380 - Joint county and city buildings.
35.21.390 - Public employment, civil service and pensions.
35.21.392 - Contractors—Authority of city to verify registration and report violations.
35.21.395 - Historic preservation—Authorization to acquire property, borrow money, issue bonds, etc.
35.21.403 - Authority to establish lake and beach management districts.
35.21.404 - Fish enhancement project—City's or town's liability.
35.21.407 - Abandoned or derelict vessels.
35.21.409 - Transfer of ownership of a city or town-owned vessel—Further requirements.
35.21.418 - Hydroelectric reservoir extending across international boundary—Commission—Powers.
35.21.427 - City constructing generating facility in other county—Additional findings—Renegotiation.
35.21.440 - Utilities—Additional payments to school districts having bonded indebtedness.
35.21.450 - Utilities—Payment of taxes.
35.21.455 - Locally regulated utilities—Attachments to poles.
35.21.465 - Crop purchase contracts for dedicated energy crops.
35.21.475 - Statement of restrictions applicable to real property.
35.21.500 - Compilation, codification, revision of city or town ordinances—Scope of codification.
35.21.510 - Compilation, codification, revision of city or town ordinances—Authorized.
35.21.530 - Compilation, codification, revision of city or town ordinances—Filing—Notice of hearing.
35.21.560 - Compilation, codification, revision of city or town ordinances—Adoption of new material.
35.21.630 - Youth agencies—Establishment authorized.
35.21.650 - Prepayment of taxes or assessments authorized.
35.21.680 - Participation in Economic Opportunity Act programs.
35.21.685 - Low-income housing—Loans and grants.
35.21.686 - Tiny house communities.
35.21.690 - Authority to regulate auctioneers—Limitations.
35.21.692 - Authority to regulate massage therapists—Limitations.
35.21.695 - Authority to own and operate professional sports franchise.
35.21.696 - Newspaper carrier regulation.
35.21.698 - Regulation of financial transactions—Limitations.
35.21.700 - Tourist promotion.
35.21.703 - Economic development programs.
35.21.711 - License fees or taxes on certain business activities—Excess rates authorized by voters.
35.21.712 - License fees or taxes on telephone business to be at uniform rate.
35.21.715 - Taxes on network telephone services.
35.21.717 - Taxation of internet access—Moratorium.
35.21.718 - State route No. 16—Tax on operation prohibited.
35.21.720 - City contracts to obtain sheriff's office law enforcement services.
35.21.730 - Public corporations—Powers of cities, towns, and counties—Administration.
35.21.740 - Public corporations—Exercise of powers, authorities, or rights—Territorial jurisdiction.
35.21.745 - Public corporations—Provision for, control over—Powers.
35.21.750 - Public corporations—Insolvency or dissolution.
35.21.755 - Public corporations—Exemption or immunity from taxation—In lieu excise tax.
35.21.756 - Tax exemption—Sales/leasebacks by regional transit authorities.
35.21.757 - Public corporations—Statutes to be construed consistent with state Constitution.
35.21.759 - Public corporations, commissions, and authorities—Applicability of general laws.
35.21.760 - Legal interns—Employment authorized.
35.21.766 - Ambulance services—Establishment authorized.
35.21.7661 - Study and review of ambulance utilities.
35.21.768 - Ambulance services—Excise taxes authorized—Use of proceeds.
35.21.769 - Levy for emergency medical care and services.
35.21.772 - Fire department volunteers—Holding public office—Definitions.
35.21.775 - Provision of fire protection services to state-owned facilities.
35.21.778 - Existing contracts for fire protection services and equipment not abrogated.
35.21.800 - Foreign trade zones—Legislative finding, intent.
35.21.820 - Acquisition and disposal of vehicles for commuter ride sharing by city employees.
35.21.830 - Controls on rent for residential structures—Prohibited—Exceptions.
35.21.840 - Taxation of motor carriers of freight for hire—Allocation of gross receipts.
35.21.845 - Taxation of motor carriers of freight for hire—Tax allocation formula.
35.21.850 - Taxation of motor carriers of freight for hire—Limitation—Exceptions.
35.21.865 - Electricity, telephone, or natural gas business—Limitations on tax rate changes.
35.21.871 - Tax on telephone business—Deferral of rate reduction.
35.21.873 - Procedure to correct erroneous mobile telecommunications service tax.
35.21.875 - Designation of official newspaper.
35.21.880 - Right-of-way donations—Credit against required improvements.
35.21.890 - Boundary changes—Providing factual information—Notice to boundary review board.
35.21.895 - Regulation of automatic number or location identification—Prohibited.
35.21.900 - Authority to transfer real property.
35.21.905 - Consultation with public utilities for water-sewer facility relocation projects.
35.21.910 - Community athletics programs—Sex discrimination prohibited.
35.21.925 - Supplemental transportation improvements.
35.21.930 - Community assistance referral and education services program.
35.21.935 - Warrant officers—Training requirements—Authority.
35.21.940 - Failing septic systems—Connection to public sewer systems—Appeals process.
35.21.945 - Water storage asset management services—Procurement.
35.21.950 - Final determination on state highway project permits.
35.21.955 - Nuisance abatement—Special assessment—Notice requirements.
35.21.960 - Removal of restrictive covenants—Hearing, notice.
35.21.965 - Voluntary change to electoral system.
35.21.980 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.