Mifflinburg council to hold hearing on ending elected pay

The Mifflinburg Borough Council will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the Borough Office Building, 120 N. Third St., to consider Ordinance No. 2026-01, which would repeal the section of the municipal code that fixes salaries for the mayor and council members. If adopted, the change would remove the current $1,800 annual salary for council members and the mayor, paid as $150 monthly, and would terminate those salaries at the end of the officials current terms.

The full text of the proposed ordinance is available for inspection at the Borough Office during regular business hours. The meeting is open to the public and includes information on accommodations for persons with disabilities. Residents who want to review the ordinance or need accessibility arrangements should contact the Borough Office ahead of the hearing.

At stake is both a line item in the borough budget and a question of civic access. The salary in question is modest by private sector standards, but for a small borough it is a formal recognition of public service. Eliminating the stipend would reduce municipal expenditures, but it could also influence who is able to serve on council. Removing even a small stipend can make elected office less feasible for residents who depend on modest supplemental income, while supporters of repeal may argue that volunteer service helps control costs and strengthen civic duty.

The ordinance specifies that salaries would end only at the conclusion of current terms, so the change would not cut pay immediately. That timing gives constituents and prospective candidates time to consider the implications before the next election cycle. It also leaves the question of whether the council would revisit compensation levels in the future.

For local voters, the practical implications are straightforward. Compensation policies shape who runs for office and how residents prioritize public service amid rising household costs. The hearing is an opportunity to ask council about budget impacts, candidate diversity, and whether alternatives such as expense reimbursement or modest stipends might balance fiscal responsibility with inclusive governance.

The takeaway? If you care about who represents Mifflinburg and how the borough values public service, take a few minutes to read the ordinance at the Borough Office and consider attending the Jan. 20 hearing. Showing up and asking the tough questions is the clearest way to influence a decision that will affect local government and community participation.