At the first regular meeting of the council that is first elected, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the council shall, by ordinance, fix the salary of the mayor and each of the councilmen (or commissioners), which ordinance shall not become operative until the same shall have been approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting at an election to be held for that purpose, as provided by this section. Said ordinance shall be published in a newspaper published in said city, and having a general circulation therein, for at least ten days before such election, and notice of the date of such election shall be given by the council for ten days by publication in a newspaper published in such city, and having general circulation therein. In case such ordinance shall be rejected by the electors at such election, then a new ordinance, or ordinances, may be passed by the council and submitted to the electors in like manner, until the same shall have been ratified by the electors. When an ordinance so fixing the salaries shall have been finally adopted and approved, the salaries so fixed shall remain in effect until altered or changed in the manner hereinafter provided.

To reduce the salary so fixed it shall be sufficient that the council adopt an ordinance to that effect, which ordinance shall become effective upon adoption without the necessity of publication or of an election. To increase the salary so fixed, an ordinance shall be duly adopted, by the council, which ordinance shall be published for ten days in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in such city, and the ordinance shall not become effective until it shall have been approved by a majority of the qualified electors of such city voting at an election to be held for that purpose after notice of such election shall have been given by the council for ten days by publication in a newspaper published in such city or having a general circulation therein, the last notice to appear not more than one week next prior to the date of the election.

Every officer or assistant, other than the mayor and councilmen, shall receive such salary or compensation as the council shall by ordinance provide. The salary or compensation of all other employees of such city shall be fixed by the council from time to time, as occasion may demand.