Options for City Council Compensation
Senate Bill 329 Council Salary
City Council, November 14, 2023
Agenda
11/14/2023 City Council Salary 2
Background
Legislation
Process
Discussion and direction
Background
10/24/2023 3
• In July, the State of California adopted legislation
(SB329) to increase the maximum amount of salary a
council member in a general law city may receive.
• The new salary maximums are based on a city’s
population and are the first adjustments made since
1984.
• Considering inflation over the past 40 years, the
increases aim to support diversity by allowing people
from across different income levels to serve the public while supporting their families.
City Council Salary
Legislation
4 • The legislation was co-sponsored by the League of
California Cities (Cal Cities) and supported by the
NAACP California Hawaii State Conference
• Cal Cities stated:
“Government officials, policy experts, and activists
often cite low compensation as a barrier to elected
office. In theory, anyone can run for elected office.
However, lengthy time commitments and limited pay
discourage many, especially low-income residents,
single parents, people of color, and young people,
from running. For many, being a council member is a
full-time commitment with part-time pay.”
City Council Salary
Process
5 • Council salary can be changed by ordinance or ballot measure
• By ballot measure the increase can exceed $950/mo.
• By ordinance, for cities with a population up to and
including 35,000, the legislative maximum is
$950/month
• The ordinance must be presented in two regular
meetings of the City Council. The proposed ordinance
with findings is presented first and then ordinance
adoption is considered at the second meeting
• The effective date of a salary change by ordinance
would be December 2024 which follows a general
municipal election (Government Code section
36516.5) City Council Salary
Discussion
6 • At the Council meeting on September 12, 2023, the
topic of council salary was introduced.
• Increasing the council salary from $390/month
(unchanged since 1995) to the new state maximum of
$950/month would reduce an economic barrier to
individuals considering a run for elected office
• Taking a lead on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts within City government and the community is a key
Citywide Strategic Plan Initiative Project
• Increasing council salary is “a tool communities can
choose to use that can help ensure that our city
councils are reflective of the residents who live, work, and play in their communities (Cal Cities)
City Council Salary
Discussion
7 • Many of the cities in San Mateo County have
increased their council salary within the past ten years.
For cities that provide a salary, Belmont is one of the lowest. City Monthly
Compensation
Effective Date Population
Daly City* $2,390 2022 101,243
South San Francisco $1,000 2018 64,251
Palo Alto $1,000 2017 63,210
Colma $961 2018 1,600
Half Moon Bay $955 2021 11,363
Redwood City* $750 2022 80,076
Pacifica $700 2022 37,099
Menlo Park $600 2018 28,847
East Palo Alto $600 2018 28,847
San Mateo* $600 2002 100,106
Burlingame $590 2023 29,685
San Carlos $560 2018 29,387
Foster City $546 2022 35,517
San Bruno $486 2001 42,275
Brisbane $400 2015 5,400
Belmont $390 1995 26,773
Millbrae $345 1999 22,277
Woodside $0
Atherton $0
Portola Valley $0
Hillsborough $0
City Council Salary
Staff Direction
10/24/2023 City Council Salary 8
1. Direct staff to draft an ordinance for council
consideration that increases council salary
up to and including $950/month operative on
the first payroll following the certification of the
next municipal election in November 2024.
2. Take no action and leave salary at the 1995
adopted and current amount of $390/month.
Thank you
www.Belmont.gov