Wasilla increases mayor’s pay rate

WASILLA — The city council voted Monday night to increase the mayor’s salary by $10,000 to bring it more in line with other top administrators around the state.

Previously, the mayor’s annual pay was set at $75,000 with a 1.5 percent increase each year in office. However, the mayor of Wasilla effectively takes on the role of city manager as well, many of whom make more than $100,000 in comparably sized cities.

The new pay scale puts the mayor, currently Verne Rupright, on a step-level matrix similar to other city employees. The mayor is on a step separate from but equal to the city’s department directors. The first level comes with a salary of $85,779 and a 2.5 percent annual increase.

For the complete story, see Friday’s edition of the Frontiersman.