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Case #2: Review Stipend Paid to Various Board and Commission Members Finance Officer Hart stated that the Finance Committee was presented, at their April 23, 1996 meeting, with information pertaining to stipends paid to various board and commission members. At that meeting, the Committee determined it should be reviewed again. The stipend currently paid is $25 per month to the Chair and $20 to the other members. The EDC waives their stipends and the Charter Commission does not have any stipend offered them nor does the Fire Board. Councilmember Beyer commented that there is only one person on the Fire Board who is a citizen volunteer, the others are members of the Fire Department and they are paid for a meeting night as the Fire Board meets on the same night as a regular Department meeting. Ms. Hart inquired if the Committee felt that the City should increase the stipends and offer a stipend to the one citizen member on the Fire Board, the members of the EDC, and the Charter Commission. Councilmember Beyer responded that she is in favor of increasing these stipends. This was the rate of pay originally adopted about 12 years ago. She felt it would not "break" the City to increase the stipends $5, $I0 or $15 a member. Mayor Hardin pointed out that only six of the 42 cities interviewed pay stipends. He recalled discussion suggesting the elimination of the stipend. Administrative Services Manager Waite Smith stated that the City of Rosemount is eliminating their stipends and will recognize their commission members with a volunteer dinner. Mayor Hardin suggested that the Commission members could submit request for reimbursements for expenses if there is more than one meeting a month. Councilmember Peterson inquired if the other cities stated what the pay was based on to which Ms. Waite Smith replied no. Mayor Hardin noted that most people who are involved on a Commission do not do it for the money. Councilmember Peterson stated he would be in favor of offering a stipend to those currently not receiving one. Councilmember Zimmerman added that if you are a member of the Planning Commission, besides attending meetings, you are expected to visit sites also. Councilmember Peterson cautioned not getting compensation mixed up with stipend. The commissioners are basically non-salaried by law. He did not know what other expenses they may incur other than travel. Mayor Hardin inquired if it is the intent to have them fill out an expense sheet. Ms. Hart replied they fill out their attendance sheets at the meeting. Councilmember Zimmerman commented that the total amount paid out to them is not that much and he felt it shows them we care about them. Finance Committee/May 28, 1996 Page 2 of 5