WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester Borough Council will consider increasing annual compensation for the mayor and council members to $6,915 each at an October 21 meeting, with the proposed raises taking effect January 1, 2030, under legislation authorizing higher pay for Pennsylvania municipal officials.
The ordinance would establish identical annual salaries for the mayor and each council member, with payments made quarterly. The increases would apply to terms beginning in 2030 rather than immediately affecting current officeholders.
Council is scheduled to consider adoption at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall, 401 E. Gay Street.
The proposal follows Pennsylvania’s Act 131 of 2024, which revised statutory compensation limits for borough officials.
Under the law, council members in boroughs with populations of at least 15,000 but fewer than 25,000 residents may receive annual compensation of up to $6,915.
West Chester recorded 18,667 residents in the 2020 U.S. Census, placing it within that population category.
The proposed $6,915 salary would equal the statutory maximum for council members in boroughs of West Chester’s size.
Pennsylvania law separately permits mayors of boroughs with more than 15,000 residents to receive up to $840 annually for every 1,000 residents or fraction thereof.
Based on West Chester’s population, that formula permits a higher maximum for the mayor than the amount proposed by council.
The ordinance would amend Section 3-11 of the borough’s Administrative Code, which governs compensation for council members and the mayor.
Each official would receive $1,728.75 per quarter under the proposed payment schedule.
The measure would establish the new compensation levels beginning January 1, 2030, while becoming legally effective upon enactment if approved.
The proposal has not yet been adopted.
The October 21 meeting will provide council an opportunity to consider the ordinance and vote on its adoption.
The full proposed ordinance is available at https://westchesterpa.portal.civicclerk.com/event/11076/files/agenda/13072, while the borough’s official meeting information is posted at https://www.west-chester.com/calendar.aspx?EID=4412.
A certified copy is also available through the Chester County Law Library at the Chester County Justice Center, Suite 2400, 201 W. Market Street, West Chester.
Residents requiring accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the borough at 610-692-7574 at least two days before the meeting.
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