Agency file

Council Staff

Source file: City of Buffalo — Open Payroll / ingested Jun 19, 2026

The Council Staff is part of the legislative branch — making laws, setting policy, and overseeing government.

In 2026, this agency had 32 employees with median total compensation of $70,071; the highest distinct record was $115,010.

Year: 2026
Employees: 32
Median total: $70,071
Highest record: $115,010

What the records show

Compensation analytics

These summaries compare pay within the agency before listing individual records.

Salary distribution

$9,598$106,585+

How 2026 total compensation is spread across the 32 employees. Each bar is a pay range; taller bars mean more people earn in that range. The amber line marks the median ($70,071) — half earn less, half more. The far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Average pay composition

Base — $58,840 (88%)
Overtime — $0 (0%)
Other — $8,105 (12%)
Benefits — $0 (0%)

What an average paycheck here is made of — base salary versus overtime, other pay (bonuses, allowances), and benefits. A large overtime or other-pay share means take-home often exceeds base salary.

Pay percentiles

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$21,330

$59,896

$70,071

$78,246

$88,966

The pay ladder for this department. Someone at the 90th percentile earns $88,966 — more than 90% of the department; the 10th percentile earns $21,330. The shaded band is the middle half of employees (25th–75th percentile).

Largest job titles

Senior Legislative Assistant IV

11 · $76,794

Senior Leg Assist II

9 · $62,553

Senior Legislative Assistant V

4 · $87,152

Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member

3 · $59,204

Legislative Aide

2 · $47,364

The most common job titles in this department by headcount, with the median total compensation for each. Click a title to see everyone who holds it.

Record list

Employees

Highest-paid first / page 1

Willis Doerr

Legislative Policy Advisor/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$115,010

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $99,943
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $15,067
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $115,010

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176110

Willis Doerr holds the role of Legislative Policy Advisor at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $115,010.

Margaret Sperber

Senior Legislative Assistant V/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$106,585

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $90,934
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $15,651
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $106,585

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 164859

Margaret Sperber works as a Senior Legislative Assistant V for Council Staff within General Government Support. Margaret earned $106,585 in 2026.

Pedro Gonzalez-Ortiz

Chief of Staff Common Council/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$95,292

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $87,748
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,544
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $95,292

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175412

Pedro Gonzalez-Ortiz works as a Chief of Staff Common Council for Council Staff within General Government Support. Pedro earned $95,292 in 2026.

Demone Smith

Senior Legislative Assistant V/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$88,966

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $68,494
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $20,472
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,966

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 136320

Demone Smith is a Senior Legislative Assistant V at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $88,966.

Gregory Garrett

Director of Media Relations/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$88,459

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $78,683
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,777
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $88,459

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175287

Gregory Garrett holds the role of Director of Media Relations at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $88,459.

Logan Marquardt

Senior Legislative Assistant V/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$85,338

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $78,513
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,824
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $85,338

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175204

Logan Marquardt is a Senior Legislative Assistant V at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $85,338.

Sandra Frieday-Lewis

Senior Legislative Assistant V/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$82,209

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $73,977
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,233
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $82,209

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 167539

At Council Staff, Sandra Frieday-Lewis serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant V within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $82,209.

Mark Jaskula

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$78,917

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $65,516
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $13,401
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,917

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 68620

Mark Jaskula is a Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $78,917.

James Montour

Chief of Staff Common Council/Council Staff

2024 total comp

$78,280

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $66,705
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,575
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,280

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 172837

At Council Staff, James Montour serves as a Chief of Staff Common Council within General Government Support. Their 2024 pay totaled $78,280.

Doris Corley Dunniehigh

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$78,246

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $72,578
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,668
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,246

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 172886

Doris Corley Dunniehigh holds the role of Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $78,246.

Siobhan Gould

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$78,050

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $66,744
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,306
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,050

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 173241

At Council Staff, Siobhan Gould serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant IV within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $78,050.

Sandra Munson

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$77,507

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $72,578
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,929
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,507

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 166801

At Council Staff, Sandra Munson serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant IV within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $77,507.

Valerie Malia

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$77,494

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $65,823
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,671
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $77,494

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175031

Valerie Malia holds the role of Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $77,494.

Selina Irizarry

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$76,794

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $72,578
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,216
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,794

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175644

Selina Irizarry is a Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $76,794.

Andres Victoria

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$76,783

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $64,595
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,189
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $76,783

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175444

Andres Victoria holds the role of Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $76,783.

Vernee Shaw

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$74,308

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $61,854
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $12,454
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,308

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 172233

Vernee Shaw is a Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $74,308.

Clayton Hoyt

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$72,631

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $64,703
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $7,929
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,631

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 173789

At Council Staff, Clayton Hoyt serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant IV within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $72,631.

Phyllis Yarborough

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$67,510

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $61,423
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,088
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $67,510

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175090

Phyllis Yarborough holds the role of Senior Leg Assist II at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $67,510.

Cortasia Solomon-Carter

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$67,297

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $61,129
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $6,168
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $67,297

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175860

Cortasia Solomon-Carter is a Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $67,297.

Melanie Corker

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$66,709

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $57,957
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,753
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,709

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175979

Melanie Corker works as a Senior Leg Assist II for Council Staff within General Government Support. Melanie earned $66,709 in 2026.

Allyson Edwards

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$66,669

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $61,156
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,513
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,669

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175925

At Council Staff, Allyson Edwards serves as a Senior Leg Assist II within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $66,669.

Alyssa Jackson

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$66,669

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $56,090
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,579
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $66,669

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176025

At Council Staff, Alyssa Jackson serves as a Senior Leg Assist II within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $66,669.

Timothy Fenster

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$62,553

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $57,975
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $4,578
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $62,553

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176287

Timothy Fenster works as a Senior Leg Assist II for Council Staff within General Government Support. Timothy earned $62,553 in 2026.

Brandon Barksdale

Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$60,412

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $55,014
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,399
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $60,412

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 174546

Brandon Barksdale is a Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $60,412.

Kimberly Podgorsak

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$59,896

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $50,471
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $9,425
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,896

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175720

Kimberly Podgorsak is a Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $59,896.

Jacob Weronski

Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$59,204

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $53,443
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,761
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $59,204

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176027

Jacob Weronski holds the role of Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2026, their total compensation was $59,204.

Stephanie White

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2024 total comp

$58,178

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $49,280
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $8,898
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $58,178

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 168917

Stephanie White is a Senior Leg Assist II at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2024 total compensation came to $58,178.

Taisha St. Jean

Chief of Staff Common Council/Council Staff

2025 total comp

$55,150

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $39,873
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $15,278
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $55,150

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 173200

Taisha St. Jean holds the role of Chief of Staff Common Council at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2025, their total compensation was $55,150.

Lila Balali

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$53,345

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $41,426
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $11,919
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $53,345

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176251

Lila Balali is a Senior Leg Assist II at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $53,345.

Noemi Santiago

Legislative Aide/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$47,364

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $37,299
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $10,065
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,364

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 168336

Noemi Santiago works as a Legislative Aide for Council Staff within General Government Support. Noemi earned $47,364 in 2026.

Lily Kane

Legislative Aide/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$47,364

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $43,456
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,908
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $47,364

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176057

Lily Kane works as a Legislative Aide for Council Staff within General Government Support. Lily earned $47,364 in 2026.

Veola Bryant

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2024 total comp

$45,011

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $39,104
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,907
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $45,011

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 173712

Veola Bryant is a Senior Legislative Assistant IV at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2024 total compensation came to $45,011.

Tess Rine

Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member/Council Staff

2025 total comp

$35,434

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $29,643
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $5,792
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $35,434

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175292

Tess Rine works as a Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member for Council Staff within General Government Support. Tess earned $35,434 in 2025.

Courtney Kincannon

Legislative Assistant Councilmember/Council Staff

2024 total comp

$31,221

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $28,637
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,585
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $31,221

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175514

Courtney Kincannon holds the role of Legislative Assistant Councilmember at Council Staff within General Government Support. In 2024, their total compensation was $31,221.

Naomi Williams

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2024 total comp

$28,357

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $25,275
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $3,082
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $28,357

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176004

At Council Staff, Naomi Williams serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant IV within General Government Support. Their 2024 pay totaled $28,357.

Megan Winnert

Senior Legislative Assistant IV/Council Staff

2024 total comp

$25,763

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $24,559
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,204
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $25,763

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 174510

At Council Staff, Megan Winnert serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant IV within General Government Support. Their 2024 pay totaled $25,763.

J'Vion Love

Senior Leg Assist II/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$21,330

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $20,796
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $533
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $21,330

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175779

J'Vion Love is a Senior Leg Assist II at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2026 total compensation came to $21,330.

Aaliyah Forrest

Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member/Council Staff

2026 total comp

$19,271

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $18,067
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,204
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $19,271

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 176491

At Council Staff, Aaliyah Forrest serves as a Senior Legis Assistant Cncl/Cc Member within General Government Support. Their 2026 pay totaled $19,271.

Lawrence Dupre

Legislative Assistant Councilmember/Council Staff

2023 total comp

$17,187

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $15,527
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $1,660
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $17,187

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175044

Lawrence Dupre works as a Legislative Assistant Councilmember for Council Staff within General Government Support. Lawrence earned $17,187 in 2023.

Keith Leonard

Legislative Aide/Council Staff

2023 total comp

$16,420

Sub-department: GENERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Base pay: $14,039
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $2,382
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $16,420

Source-specific fields

Employeeid: 175439

Keith Leonard is a Legislative Aide at Council Staff within General Government Support. 2023 total compensation came to $16,420.