What you need to know:

• The Houston City Council this month approved changing the mayor's compensation from a flat $1,500 monthly payment to up to $3,200 a month, or $25 an hour for up to 160 hours a month. The new pay structure will take effect after the next mayoral election in November.
• The council voted 4-3 in favor of the change. Some members who opposed it said they objected to combining the pay raise with other changes in the ordinance or had concerns about the revised work-hour requirements.
• The ordinance also updates the mayor's official duties. The changes clarify that the mayor oversees the municipality's day-to-day administration and public services.

• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

HOUSTON — The Houston mayor's salary will increase this fall under a measure approved by the City Council this month, marking the first pay raise for the position since 2009.

The update increases the mayor's pay from a flat-rate payment of $1,500 for at least 100 hours of city-related work each month to an hourly rate of $25 for up to 160 hours a month, allowing for compensation of as much as $3,200.

The council voted 4-3 to approve the change during a regular city council meeting Thursday, with Council members Callie Courtney, Daniel Lewis, and Lisa Johansen voting no.

The measure also includes updates clarifying the mayor's role under city code. Officials said the changes align the description of the mayor's duties with those outlined in Alaska State Law.

For example, the previous city code said the mayor "signs documents on behalf of the city." The updated language adds that the mayor is responsible for "day-to-day administration and operations" and must "oversee the overall administration of the municipality, ensuring smooth, efficient, and effective delivery of public services," including public works, utilities, sanitation, parks and recreation, libraries, public safety, planning, and economic development.

Lewis said he supported the pay raise but voted against the measure because it bundled too many changes into a single piece of legislation. Courtney said she voted against it because members of the public had expressed concerns about the change to the required hours.

The pay increase takes effect in November, following the city's next mayoral election.

Houston's mayor is elected annually by the City Council from among its members, a format used by cities categorized as second-class municipalities under state law.

An earlier version of the proposal considered in May required the mayor to work at least 160 hours a month rather than up to that amount.

The council later voted unanimously to revise the language, giving the mayor flexibility to work and be compensated for more than 100 hours a month without requiring a full-time commitment that could limit who is able to serve in the role.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com