Danbury Approves 20% Pay Raise For Mayor, Increases For Other Officials

DANBURY, CT — The Danbury City Council approved pay raises for the mayor, town clerk and treasurer during a June 2 meeting, following a debate amongst councilmembers.

The increases will take effect Dec. 1, 2027, after the next municipal election.

Under the plan, the mayor's salary will increase from $138,145 to $165,000, the town clerk's salary will rise from $74,000 to $82,500 and the treasurer's compensation will increase from $29,000 to $41,250.

The City Council voted 18-3 to approve the measure.

Opponents argued the proposal sends the wrong message at a time when many residents are struggling financially.

Councilwoman Candace Fay, one of three members who voted against the measure, called a 20 percent increase to the mayor's salary "audacious" and "out of touch" with the challenges facing many families.

"It is completely tone deaf to the struggles of working families, to seniors on fixed incomes, to our veterans who have given us so much, and those who rely on Danbury community resources to get by," Fay said during the meeting.

Council members backing the proposal argued that competitive salaries help attract qualified candidates to oversee one of the state's largest cities.

"If you want somebody good in these positions who will do everything they can for this city, we should have their salary be somewhat market rate," said Councilwoman Holly Robinson.

Supporters countered that the raises are intended for future officeholders and are designed to bring Danbury's compensation more in line with comparable Connecticut municipalities.

Robinson noted that while Danbury is the state's seventh largest city, the current mayor's salary does not rank among the highest-paid mayoral positions in the state.

According to materials reviewed by an ad hoc committee earlier this year, supporters said the increases are intended to address longstanding salary disparities and better reflect the responsibilities of the positions. The committee unanimously recommended the proposal to the full council.