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Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: June 26, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Rachel Richman, City Attorney
Subject: Compensation for Members of the City Council
BACKGROUND
Councilmembers are compensated monthly under specific provisions of state law.
Camarillo Councilmembers currently receive $1,557.63 per month. Government Code section 36516(a)(4) allows for increases in Councilmember compensation to be increased up to 5 percent for each calendar year from the effective date of the last salary adjustment or up to an amount equal to inflation since January 1, 2024, based on the California Consumer Price Index, but not to exceed 10 percent per calendar year.
Government Code Section 36516.5 provides that any approved increase in compensation can only take effect when at least one council member begins a new term. As a result, compensation is reviewed and set prior to the November election in even numbered years.
Amendments were made to Government Code section 36516 by SB 329 which went into effect January 1, 2024. The Bill among other minor changes, provided for a re- establishment of the salary amounts for councilmembers to be adjusted up for inflation as the State had not adjusted it since 1984. This bill does not have much impact on cities such as Camarillo which regularly review Council compensation as the statute provides.
Of note, in passing SB 329 the Legislative findings stated that the statutory increase was a recognition of the lengthy time commitments that elected officials make to their positions and that these time commitments and limited pay discourages many who cannot afford to give of that time, from running for office, so the adjustment may help attract more to run for public office.
DISCUSSION
Compensation for Members of the City Council
June 26, 2024
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The City Council last updated Council compensation in June 2022 with the adoption of Ordinance No. 1194, setting the compensation rate for calendar years 2023 and 2024.
The historical rate increases of the past 10 years for Council compensation are provided below:
Calendar Years Approved Increase
(each year) Ordinance #
2013 and 2014 5% 1073
2015 and 2016 2% 1091
2017 and 2018 1.5% 1125
2019 and 2020 2% 1155
2021 and 2022 Waived None
2023 and 2024 2.5% 1194
This item is to provide City Council the opportunity to discuss compensation for City Councilmembers for calendar years 2025 and 2026. If the Council decides to increase Councilmember compensation in either year, staff will bring the appropriate ordinance back for Council consideration at the July 10, 2024, regular City Council meeting. The Council has options based in part on past City Council practice as follows:
1. Council can consider a percentage up to, but not exceeding 5% each year.
2. Council can consider an increase based on CPI since January 2024. Staff is not recommending this option as this was a new change under SB 329 and there is not enough CPI data to clearly establish a CPI amount. It may be an option that the Council can consider in two years.
3. The Council has the option to waive an increase for one or both years.
FISCAL IMPACT
If Council compensation is increased, funds will be appropriated and included in the FY 24/25 and FY 25/26 budgets.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
Compensation for Members of the City Council
June 26, 2024
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In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section 15061(b)(3) the common sense exemption, this discussion item is exempt from CEQA review as it will not have a significant effect on the environment.
RECOMMENDATION
Review compensation for members of the City Council for calendar years 2025 and 2026, per Government Code Section 36516, and provide the following direction for staff to return with the appropriate Ordinance for Council consideration for approval:
1. Determine a percentage for compensation increase for 2025 and 2026, if any.
2. If an increase is determined, direct staff to return with the introduction of an Ordinance with findings setting revised Council Compensation rates; or
3. Provide any alternative direction desired to establish compensation rates for 2025 and 2026.
ATTACHMENTS
None
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None