Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville City Council member, Michael Payne, joined WINA Morning News for a discussion on recent council decisions, including the adoption of ranked choice voting and a council pay raise.  

During the conversation, Payne highlighted the benefits of ranked choice voting, which was unanimously approved for the 2025 local election. “It allows for a more democratic choice… you can just rank your preferences,” he said, adding that it encourages a more diverse range of candidates to run. 

The discussion also touched on the recent approval of a council pay raise, moving the mayor’s salary to $37,000 and councilors salary to $34,000 by July 2026. Payne explained, “ Under Virginia State law, city councils across the entire state haven’t been able to increase their salaries since 1998… the hope is it can be… more feasible for more people to be able to run.” 

The decision saw a 4-1 vote, with some opposition from within the council and the community. Payne acknowledged these concerns but emphasized the importance of fair compensation to encourage broader participation in local government. 

Listen to the full conversation here: