HomeMy WebLinkAbout7010ORDINANCE NO. 7010
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
AUBURN, WASHINGTON, AFFIRMING THAT
COUNCILMEMBERS AND THE DEPUTY MAYOR ARE
ELIGIBLE FOR OPTIONAL PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM (PERS) AND
AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF THE REQUIRED EMPLOYER
CONTRIBUTION FOR THOSE WHO ELECT MEMBERSHIP
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn participates in the Washington State Public
Employees' Retirement System (PERS) under chapter 41.40 RCW; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Auburn is a full-time executive officer in a
strong -mayor form of government and already participates in PERS under mandatory
eligibility rules for full-time city officials; and
WHEREAS, under RCW 41.40.023(3)(a), elected officials other than the mayor —
specifically the City Councilmembers and the Councilmember serving as Deputy Mayor —
are exempt from mandatory PERS membership, but are permitted to apply for
membership during their elected term; and
WHEREAS, PERS eligibility for elected officials is determined individually and not
collectively, and each Councilmember may independently elect whether to join PERS,
provided they meet applicable compensation thresholds; and
WHEREAS, Auburn Councilmembers currently receive a stipend of $1,800 per
month, and the Deputy Mayor receives $2,400 per month, which both exceed the 2025
statutory PERS eligibility threshold of 90 x state minimum wage per month; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to formally recognize the availability of PERS
membership for Councilmembers and the Deputy Mayor, and authorize payment of the
City's employer contribution for those who elect to participate;
Ordinance No. 7010
November 20, 2025
Page 1 of 3
Rev. 2024
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN as follows:
Section 1. Optional Membership for Councilmembers. Councilmembers and
the Councilmember serving as Deputy Mayor are elective officials eligible to apply for
optional membership in PERS under RCW 41.40.023(3)(a). Membership is at the
discretion of each individual Councilmember during their term of office.
Section 2. Employer Contributions. For any Councilmember or Deputy Mayor
who elects to participate in PERS, the City shall remit all required employer contributions
and interest, as determined by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), including
contributions necessary to establish service credit back to the first day of their current
term if elected by the member.
Section 3. Administrative Authorization. Human Resources and Finance are
authorized to coordinate with DRS regarding enrollment forms, payroll reporting,
remittance of contributions, and any retroactive service calculations for participating
officials.
Section 4. No Mid -Term Salary Increase. This Ordinance clarifies eligibility for a
statutory retirement program and authorizes employer contributions. It does not increase
Council compensation and therefore does not constitute mid-term salary adjustment
under Article XI, Section 8 of the Washington Constitution.
Section 6. Implementation. The Mayor is authorized to implement those
administrative procedures necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 6. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be
separate and severable. The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision,
Ordinance No. 7010
November 20, 2025
Page 2 of 3 Rev. 2024