Manassas Mayor, City Council Salaries Could Double Under Proposal

MANASSAS, VA — The Manassas mayor and City Council members could get a salary boost if approved by the Manassas City Council. On Monday, Manassas City Council voted to send a pay increase proposal to Sept. 8 for a vote.

The proposed salaries are $42,000 for the mayor and $40,000 for City Council members, effective July 1, 2027. City Manager Steve Burke noted the current salaries as of July 1, 2023 were $20,000 for mayor and $18,000 for City Council members. The city manager noted the elected officials' responsibilities include attending meetings, serving on city boards and committees, attending civic events, providing representation on regional boards and commissions.

Burke said that salaries vary for elected officials in Virginia localities, from $11,500 in the City of Manassas Park, to $68,000 in the City of Alexandria. During public testimony, it was noted the City of Manassas Park increased salaries to $22,000 for mayor and $21,000 for City Council members as of July 1, 2025.

The proposed City of Manassas increases would impact at least several elected officials before the next election. Three City Council seats will be up for election next in 2026, while the mayor and three remaining City Council seats will be up for election next in 2028. Under state law, salary increases can only go into effect July 1 after the next general election.

Several residents spoke about the proposed pay increases.

Manassas resident Gretchen Almstead said the proposed pay is still below fair compensation, noting the average household income in Manassas is above $100,000.

"Much of the council's work goes on behind the scenes," said Almstead. "They are always on call. Residents always stop them at the grocery store, at First Fridays, wherever they go with concerns, questions, and just like all the mayors and council members before them, the decisions that they make and that they have to face necessitate research, coordination and a lot of time."

Resident Diane Lane argued that the elected positions are part time often with expanded time to meet needs. But she compared it to the full-time starting salaries of $67,100 for police officers and $55,960 for firefighters.

"I ask council to send this back to staff to define expectations for hourly performance, the definition of part time," said Lane. "Without that you cannot set a reasonable salary rate."

Resident Helen Zurita said she was "livid" about the council seeking a pay increase "when the city is suffering." Zurita asked City Council to consider tabling the matter until the federal workforce climate gets better.

"Do you know how many people I'm serving in my food pantry right now and what it took for me to come in here today because there's people waiting in my office for food?" said Zurita. "These are government workers that have lost their jobs."

Former Republican Councilmember Lynn Forkell Greene said the City Council salary was $15,000 when she served on City Council, and that the last increase to $18,000 was reasonable. Forkell Greene, who unsuccessfully ran again in 2024, said City Council could consider a 3 percent cost of living adjustment as an alternative.

"Point blank, if you're here as a job, I would like to know the benchmark for success in the role," said Forkell Greene.

Councilmember Ralph Smith introduced a substitute motion to consider pay increases with no specified deadline, but that measure failed. Instead, all councilmembers but Smith and Councilmember Theresa Coates Ellis voted for Vice Mayor Mark Wolfe's motion to send the proposal to the Sept. 8 meeting for consideration. Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger did not have a vote on the motion.