Reynoldsburg Considers Compensation Adjustments for Mayor, Auditor, and Attorney

Reynoldsburg City Council posted a meeting agenda on Friday, Oct. 23. The agenda schedules an ordinance to amend compensation for the mayor, city auditor, and city attorney.

Reynoldsburg City Council scheduled the regular meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26. The council meeting will take place at 7232 East Main Street in Reynoldsburg. Under municipal meeting procedures, the legislation will first receive review in council's Finance & Administration Committee before appearing on the consent agenda for its first reading during the regular legislative session. Standard municipal ordinances require three separate readings before council can hold a final adoption vote, providing structured opportunities for committee discussion, public comment, and potential amendments in the coming weeks.

Governance Context and Pay History

The legislation addresses compensation rules established across three chapters of the Reynoldsburg Codified Ordinances: Chapter 141 for the mayor, Chapter 143 for the city auditor, and Chapter 147 for the city attorney. In Reynoldsburg, executive compensation has seen prolonged stability, with mayoral pay remaining unchanged at $97,802 annually since 2012 under Section 141.01. The city auditor oversees municipal financial administration and accounting, while the city attorney serves as chief legal counsel for municipal operations.

The proposed adjustments unfold within the constitutional and statutory framework of Ohio municipal governance. Both state law and municipal charter principles prohibit altering the compensation of an elected official during their active term in office. Consequently, any modifications to executive pay must be enacted prior to candidate petition filing deadlines for upcoming municipal election cycles. This requirement ensures that prospective candidates, sitting officeholders, and voters have clear notice of compensation terms before an election begins.

Regional Compensation Debates in Gahanna

Previously, Pique reported on Gahanna's proposed salary increase on Oct. 6 as the mayor resisted pay changes while council weighed stagnant pay. In Gahanna, City Council introduced an ordinance to amend the mayor's salary.

During a Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 28, Jadwin voiced direct opposition to salary adjustments beyond the $103,809 level set in 2011. Gahanna council members countered that failing to adjust pay after 15 years risks barring candidates without independent wealth from running for office. Because municipal charter provisions forbid altering compensation during a sitting official's term, any adjustment must be enacted before candidates file nominating petitions for the 2027 election.

Next Steps for Reynoldsburg Council

Reynoldsburg City Council will begin its formal consideration of the compensation measure on Monday, Oct. 26, when the Finance & Administration Committee examines the draft language ahead of the 6:30 p.m. council meeting. Because the ordinance appears on the consent agenda for its first reading, council members will have subsequent meetings to debate specific salary numbers, hear public testimony, and evaluate budget implications before deciding on final adoption.