There is hereby created a commission to be known as the Longview citizens' commission on salaries for elected officials, to consist of seven members appointed by the mayor subject to approval by the city council.
(1) 
The members of the commission shall be appointed for four-year terms, and may not serve more than two terms.
(2) 
The members of the commission shall all be and remain, during their tenure as members of the commission, residents of the city of Longview.
(3) 
Each member of the commission shall serve for the following terms: One member shall be appointed to serve for a period of one year; one member shall be appointed to serve for a period of two years; two members shall be appointed to serve for terms of three years; and three members shall be appointed to serve for terms of four years. As the term of appointment expires for each member of the commission, any re-appointment to serve on the commission or any new person appointed to serve in the place of any member whose term of appointment has expired shall be appointed for a term of four years. No member of the commission may serve more than two terms. All terms of appointment shall commence on the first day of January, and shall expire on the last day of December.
(4) 
Members of the commission may not include any officer, official or employee of the city or any of their immediate family members. "Immediate family members," as used herein, means the parents, spouse, siblings, children, or dependent relatives of the officer, official or employee whether or not living in the household of the officer, official or employee.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2942 § 1, 2005)
The purpose and duties of the commission shall be to meet not less often than once during each even-numbered year, prior to the first day of June of such year, to study the relationship of salaries to the duties of members of the Longview city council and the mayor of the city of Longview, and fix the salaries for each respective position.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2942 § 2, 2005)
Except as provided in LMC § 2.02.010, the commission shall be solely responsible for its own organization, operation and action, and shall enjoy the fullest cooperation of city officials.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001)
The members of the commission shall elect a chair from among their number. The commission shall set a schedule of salaries by an affirmative vote of not less than four members of the commission.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001)
Not less than 30 days prior to the filing of any proposed salary schedule with the city clerk, the commission shall conduct a public hearing thereon. At the conclusion of said public hearing, the commission shall adopt the proposed salary schedule together with any amendments thereto or changes therein as determined by the commission.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001)
The commission shall establish the salaries of the members of the city council and the mayor, and shall file its schedule with the city clerk not later than June 30th of each even-numbered year. The city clerk shall publish such schedule two times in the official newspaper of the city, and at least one week shall lapse between such publications; the second date of publication shall be deemed to be the official filing date. The salary schedule shall become effective 30 days after the official filing date.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2942 § 3, 2005)
All salary increases established by the commission shall be effective 30 days after the official filing date and shall become effective and incorporated into the city budget without further action of the city council or the commission; provided, however, that any salary decreases shall become effective as to incumbent city officials at the commencement of their then next subsequent term of office.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2942 § 4, 2005)
Salary increases or decreases shall be subject to referendum petition as provided in Chapter 1.35 LMC, filed within 30 days after official filing date, as provided in LMC § 2.02.070. In the event of the filing of a valid referendum petition, salary increases or decreases shall not go into effect until approved by a vote of the people. Referendum measures under this section shall be submitted to the voters of the city at the then next following general or municipal election occurring 30 or more days after the referendum petition is filed.
(Ord. 2810 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2942 § 4, 2005)