City of Buffalo Citizens Salary Review Commission

Per the City of Buffalo Charter (18-19): The citizens salary review commission shall consist of ten citizens, nine of whom shall be appointed by the board of review, and of whom some shall have had training or experience in executive compensation and benefit programs. The tenth member of the commission shall be the commissioner of human resources, ex officio without vote.

The term of one-third of the members first appointed hereunder shall expire on December 31, 2001; one-third of December 31, 2002; and one-third on December 31, 2003. Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years each, so that the term of office of one-third of such members shall expire on the last day of December in successive years. Each member shall continue to serve until the appointment and qualification of his successor. Vacancies in said commission occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the board of review for the balance of the unexpired term. At no time shall the commission consist of more than six citizens of one political party.

Beginning on January 1, 2001, the commission shall review the salaries of all elected city officers, including members of the board of education, and report its recommendations to the common council by May 1 of that year. The common council must adopt, modify or reject the report of the commission by June 15 of said year. The effective date of any approved recommendations shall be January 1 of the year after the next election for at-large or district members of the common council other than to fill a vacancy. The review of salaries as set forth herein shall occur every two years.

The effective date of any salary increase of an elected city officer as provided herein shall not be changed, unless said change shall have first been approved by the electorate at a referendum.