Supervisor Compensation Model Ordinances Now Available
PSATS now has model ordinances available for implementing supervisor compensation. Act 94 of 2024 amended the Second Class Township Code to adjust the maximum thresholds for supervisor compensation and to allow township supervisors to be paid on a per-meeting basis.
After the new act takes effect on December 1, 2024, each board of supervisors may choose whether to implement all or part of the increase by ordinance or to leave current compensation rates in place. The new caps for supervisor compensation are as follows:
| Township Population | Current Caps | New Caps (Effective 12/1/24) |
| not more than 4,999 | $1,875 | $3,145 |
| 5,000 to 9,999 | $2,500 | $4,190 |
| 10,000 to 14,999 | $3,250 | $5,450 |
| 15,000 to 24,999 | $4,125 | $6,915 |
| 25,000 to 34,999 | $4,375 | $7,335 |
| 35,000 or more | $5,000 | $8,385 |
Supervisor compensation may be set by annual salary payable monthly or quarterly. Act 94 provides a new option to set supervisor compensation on a per-meeting basis for advertised public meetings of the board of supervisors in which a supervisor participated. If using the per-meeting option, the ordinance must provide for excused absences, which must include, but not be limited to illness of the supervisor or their family and family or business travel.
For both the salary and per-meeting option, no supervisor may receive more than the cap each year. If using the per-meeting option, attendance of each supervisor must be tracked, including extra public meetings scheduled, and excused absences documented. Click here for the model ordinances, which will download in a new window.
The Pennsylvania Constitution prohibits an elected official from approving and receiving an increase or decrease in compensation during their current term of office. Any change in supervisor compensation will not apply to supervisors during their current term. Instead, a supervisor will receive the new rate only after beginning a new term of office. A newly appointed supervisor will receive the increase immediately.
