Maricopa City Council members on Tuesday opted not to give themselves a raise this year.

One of the final agenda items in the three-hour meeting clarified which city employee groups would receive $4.51 million in salary adjustments for the 2026 fiscal year.

Even though the council had already approved the city’s overall budget back in May, which included a pool of money for possible salary adjustments, they clarified on Tuesday that none of that money would go toward increasing their own pay.

“It was never the intention for any type of consideration for council’s raise or compensation,” Councilmember Eric Goettl said. “So, just to make sure that is fully out there and transparent, this is about staff and this is about the contract employees that exclude the city council and mayor from that conversation.”

Outgoing Vice Mayor Henry Wade agreed, saying the council had no intention of taking any action that would be inappropriate or irresponsible for residents, including granting themselves a raise.

The $4.51 million adjustment instead applies to part-time, full-time and contract employees. Contract employees include Judge Stephen McCarville and City Manager Ben Bitter, according to Assistant City Manager Jennifer Brown.

Maricopa elected leaders have consistently earned regular raises since 2010, when councilmembers earned $1,000 per month.

In 2016, the council voted to increase its pay by 42% beginning the following year. The mayor’s salary rose from $15,000 to $23,000 annually and council salaries increased to $18,000. The salaries increased gradually every eyar thereafter.

Last year, city councilmembers saw a modest increase from $21,320 to $22,066.

Heading into 2025, council saw the most recent pay bumps. Mayor Nancy Smith received a 6% increase from $36,167 to $38,337. Other councilmembers received 6% increases from $22,066 to $23,390. Councilmembers are not included in the salaried workforce because they are paid through a monthly stipend.