Charlotte City Council gave clerk a $14k raise. Here’s how much she makes now
The Charlotte City Council last month unanimously approved an 8% salary increase for City Clerk Stephanie C. Kelly that will be effective Friday.
The pay increase amount wasn’t said aloud in the public portion of a June 22 meeting. The Observer submitted a records request to obtain the records from City Council to get the exact numbers for the raise.
Kelly’s salary is expected to increase from $180,318.05 to $194,743.49, an annual increase of about $14,425. Records obtained by the Charlotte Observer also show Kelly received a 6% merit increase in July 2025, bringing her salary to $180,318 before the council’s action.
This pay increase comes after a 10% raise for the mayor and a 6.4% increase for City Council members, with all salary adjustments taking effect in July. The increase was given after the clerk was recognized for her “continued service and performance in fulfilling her duties” according to Mayor Vi Lyles, who stepped down as mayor this week.
Kelly has worked for the city since 2004, starting as a deputy city clerk. She was promoted to city clerk in 2008 and has remained in the position during the final years of Mayor Pat McCrory’s administration and throughout former Mayor Vi Lyles’ tenure, which ended this week.
The city clerk is responsible for maintaining government records while assisting the mayor and City Council with administrative duties inside and outside council meetings.
City clerks, although not elected by the public, play a major role in maintaining administrative records and ensuring the legislative process operates properly.
