Rochester City Council votes unanimously to rescind a previously approved salary increase following public backlash

Rochester, New York – The Rochester City Council has reversed course on a controversial pay raise, voting Friday to rescind a salary increase that had sparked public criticism and debate across the city. The unanimous decision rolls back a move made just weeks earlier that would have significantly boosted councilmember compensation.

Councilmembers confirmed they voted to undo a decision approved on December 16 that increased their salaries by 25 percent, amounting to roughly $50,000 more per year. The original vote quickly drew concern from residents, community advocates, and local observers who questioned the timing and necessity of the raise amid ongoing economic pressures facing many Rochester households.

City Council Vice President LaShay Harris said the reversal was directly influenced by public reaction and reflection in the weeks following the initial vote. “Over the past few weeks, I have taken the feedback we have heard on this Council to heart,” Harris said in a statement. “And I am reminded of one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s greatest quotes, ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’”

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The decision to rescind the raise came during a significant day for the council, which also marked the swearing-in of new and returning members. A formal ceremony was held Friday inside City Council Chambers, welcoming newcomers LaShunda Leslie-Smith and Chiara Smith to their first terms on the council.

In addition to the newly elected members, Councilmembers Mitch Gruber, Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr., and Stanley Martin were sworn in to continue their service. Each of the five councilmembers began terms that will run through December 31, 2029, shaping the city’s legislative agenda for the next several years.

Leadership roles within the council were also reaffirmed during the proceedings. Miguel A. Meléndez, Jr. was reelected as City Council president, while LaShay Harris was reelected as vice president, maintaining continuity in the council’s top positions following the recent elections.

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The salary increase, now rescinded, had been intended to adjust council pay levels, which some members previously argued were outdated. However, the backlash highlighted broader concerns about public trust and accountability, particularly at a time when residents are closely watching how city leaders prioritize spending and policy decisions.

By voting unanimously to walk back the raise, councilmembers signaled a desire to respond to community sentiment and refocus attention on legislative work rather than compensation. Several members emphasized that listening to residents remains a central responsibility of the council.

As Rochester City Council begins its new term with a mix of experienced leaders and first-time members, the episode underscores the influence of public feedback on local governance and sets an early tone for the council’s approach to transparency and responsiveness moving forward.