Westlake City Council Raises Minimum Wage for City Workers

City aims to better compete with other employers by boosting minimum pay to $13 per hour

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A serene, nostalgic painting of a municipal building in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of civic pride and community connection.Westlake's investment in fair wages and community services aims to maintain the city's character and appeal amid a shifting economic landscape.Cleveland Today

The Westlake City Council voted to increase the minimum hourly wage for city employees to $13 per hour, up from lower rates in some departments. The move is intended to help the city better compete with other employers when hiring workers. The council also approved making an assistant chef position in the Community Services Department full-time to support the popular Connections Café.

Why it matters

Raising the minimum wage for city workers is an effort to ensure Westlake can attract and retain qualified employees amid a competitive job market. The move also reflects the city's commitment to providing fair wages and benefits to its workforce.

The details

The city amended its compensation ordinance to increase the minimum pay it will offer to $13 per hour across all city positions. Previously, some departments had minimum pay rates below $13. City officials said the change was needed to stay competitive when hiring. The council also approved making an assistant chef position in the Community Services Department full-time to support the growing Connections Café, which provides meals primarily for senior residents.

  • The city council voted on the changes during its April 16, 2026 meeting.
  • The new $13 per hour minimum wage and full-time assistant chef position will take effect immediately.

The players

Westlake City Council

The governing body of the city of Westlake, Ohio that voted to increase the minimum wage for city workers and make a key community services position full-time.

Lydia Gadd

The director of the Westlake Community Services Department, which oversees the Connections Café that will benefit from the new full-time assistant chef position.

Clough

A Westlake city official who spoke about the need to update the city's compensation to remain competitive in the job market.

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What they’re saying

“This one really needed to be updated, based on competition. We had some areas where it was less than $13, and through competition when we are hiring, we realized that we are not going to hire anyone for less than $13.”

— Clough, Westlake city official

“They operate a four-day-a-week cafe plus all of our food events, all of our luncheons, etc., and that's a lot for two people. Everyone has vacations and sick time. That's why we need that assistant chef to be full-time, along with the other chef.”

— Lydia Gadd, Community Services Director

What’s next

The new $13 per hour minimum wage and full-time assistant chef position will take effect immediately following the city council's approval.

The takeaway

Westlake's decision to raise the minimum wage for city workers and add a full-time assistant chef position reflects the city's efforts to stay competitive in the job market and provide quality services to the community, particularly for senior residents who rely on the Connections Café.