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Hopkinsville City Council Approves Smaller Pay Raise
After community backlash, council members vote for a 15% increase instead of 50%
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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The Hopkinsville City Council has voted to approve a pay raise for council members, but the increase is significantly smaller than originally proposed. After facing strong community opposition to a 50% pay hike, the council ultimately voted 10-2 to raise salaries to $15,628 annually, a 15% increase.
Why it matters
The pay raise decision has been a contentious issue in Hopkinsville, with many residents speaking out against the proposed 50% increase. The council's move to approve a more modest 15% raise appears to be a compromise that aims to address community concerns while still providing council members with a pay adjustment.
The details
The original proposal called for raising council member salaries from $13,600 to $20,000 annually, a 50% increase. However, Councilman Travis Martin's attempt to amend the motion to include smaller, incremental raises over three years failed. Councilman Chuck Crabtree then moved to set the raise at $15,628, which passed in a 10-2 vote, with Councilmembers Clayton Sumner and Seth Meek voting against it. A second reading of the amended motion will take place at the council's first meeting in March.
- The original 50% pay raise proposal was set to be heard for a second reading on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
- The 10-2 vote approving the $15,628 raise occurred during the February 18, 2026 city council meeting.
- A second reading of the amended $15,628 raise motion will take place at the first city council meeting in March 2026.
The players
Hopkinsville City Council
The governing body of the city of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, which voted on the pay raise proposal.
Travis Martin
A Hopkinsville city council member who tried to amend the original 50% pay raise proposal to include smaller, incremental increases over three years.
Chuck Crabtree
A Hopkinsville city council member who moved to set the raise at $15,628, a 15% increase, which ultimately passed in a 10-2 vote.
Clayton Sumner
A Hopkinsville city council member who voted against the $15,628 raise proposal.
Seth Meek
A Hopkinsville city council member who voted against the $15,628 raise proposal.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
A second reading of the amended $15,628 raise motion will take place at the first city council meeting in March 2026.
The takeaway
The Hopkinsville City Council's decision to approve a 15% pay raise, rather than the originally proposed 50% increase, demonstrates the council's responsiveness to community concerns and a willingness to find a middle ground on this contentious issue.
