FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2449

C 119 L 20

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning commissioner compensation.

Sponsors: Representatives Griffey and Gregerson.

House Committee on Local Government

Senate Committee on Local Government

Background:

The compensation that may be paid to various special purpose district commissioners, board members, supervisors, and directors is subject to both a daily and an annual limit. Every five years, beginning on July 1, 2008, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) must adjust these compensation limits to account for inflation. The adjustment is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for wage earners and clerical workers, as compiled by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

As of July 1, 2018, the new compensation limit for commissioners, board members, supervisors, and directors is $128 per day and $12,288 per year for the following districts:

• metropolitan park districts;

• cemetery districts;

• public hospital districts;

• diking districts;

• drainage districts;

• water-sewer districts;

• diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement districts;

• diking and drainage districts in two or more counties;

• consolidated diking, drainage, diking improvement, and drainage improvement districts;

• flood control districts;

• flood control zone districts; and

• irrigation districts.

Port district commissioners, public utility district commissioners, and public transportation benefit area authority members also receive compensation adjustments, but the amounts depend upon the gross operating income or gross revenue of the district.

As of July 1, 2018, the new limit for per diem compensation for port district commissioners is $128 per day. The new annual per diem compensation limit is $12,288 in port districts with a gross operating income of less than $25 million in the preceding calendar year, and $15,360 in port districts with a gross operating income of $25 million or more. The new monthly commissioner salary in port districts with a gross operating income of $25 million or more is $713, and $285 in port districts with a gross operating income from $1 million to less than $25 million.

As of July 1, 2018, the new dollar threshold per diem compensation for public utility districts is $128 per day, with a new annual per diem compensation limit of $17,920. The new monthly commissioner salary is $2,567 per month for public utility districts with gross revenue over $15 million in the preceding fiscal year, and $1,854 per month for such districts with gross revenue from $2 million to $15 million per fiscal year. For public utility districts with gross revenue of less than $2 million per fiscal year, the new monthly salary is $856 per month.

As of July 1, 2018, the new compensation limit for regular members of a public transportation benefit authority is $63 per day, with an annual compensation limit of $4,725. The authority may, by resolution, increase the per diem compensation to $128 per day, with a new annual compensation limit of $9,600. The new dollar threshold for the chair is $63 per day with a new annual compensation limit of $6,300. The authority may, by resolution, increase the per diem compensation to $128 per day, with a new annual compensation limit of $12,800.

Summary:

The calendar date on which the compensation limit for commissioners, board members, supervisors, and directors of special purpose districts must be adjusted for inflation every five years is changed from July 1 to January 1. The date of the next scheduled adjustment is delayed from July 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

Votes on Final Passage: