The Warrenton Board of Aldermen voted to increase aldermen pay from $400 a month, or $4,800 a year, to $600 a month, or $7,200 a year. 

It is important to note that per state law, any pay increases for elected officials are not effective until after an election. 

“Missouri state statutes states that compensation shall not be increased during the term of office. Therefore this will go into effect in April for any newly elected aldermen, the other ones will stay the same until the next election,” said City Administrator Brandie Walters. 

Board members like Roger Romaker, Steven Cullom and Larry Corder are up for re-election in April, and would not see a pay increase until, and if, they are re-elected. 

For the other half of the board whose seats will not be up until April of 2027, they will not see a pay increase until they, or their replacements are elected to the board. 

Mayor Eric Schlueter said he had requested the pay increase because the demands for the position have increased steadily as the city has grown. 

“We have increased our meetings, we’ve increased the frequency of how much we are meeting on workshop meetings as well as on private meetings or executive sessions,” said Schlueter. “So as much as they’re putting in, I asked for an increase for our aldermen.”

The mayor’s salary in Warrenton is separate from the aldermen’s and the position is paid $1,000 a month, or $12,000 a year. That rate was last changed in 2014, according to Warrenton City Clerk Melody Rugh. 

Pay for Warrenton aldermen was established at $4,800 a year in February 2001, and Schlueter said it was well past time for that compensation to be raised. 

“I believe they’ve been really diligently doing what they’ve been doing for years without an increase, so I do appreciate this being on the agenda,” said Schlueter. 

The pay raise passed 4-0 with Aldermen Jack Crump and Brandon Lang absent.