Joseph A Raso
C HUL A VISTA , CA 91910
Telephone
Honorable Mayor & City Council, July 21, 2026
I am here opposed to placing the measure before the voters which would dramatically increase each council members annual salary from approximately $ 64, 608 to $ 110, 127. That’ s an increase of about $ 45, 500 per year, or roughly 70% while not requiring council members to take on more responsibilities. The measure also extends the maximum amount of time council members can remain in office from eight years to twelve.
Think about what that means!
Instead of asking how City Hall can better serve the people, our city council is asking the people to provide City Hall with higher salaries and longer political careers.
That is the wrong priority.
The Chula Vista City Charter established the office of Councilmember as a part- time position, with much of the City’ s day- to- day administration already handled by the City Manager, City Attorney, and professional staff. Public service should be exactly that— service. It should not become a career built upon a gravy train of overly generous compensation and extended time in office. Serving our community should never be about enriching ourselves.
This measure should be scraped because it combines too many unrelated issues. Voters are being asked to approve a package that includes pay raises, longer term limits, labor negotiation changes, ethics provisions, and other reforms all in one measure, making it difficult to oppose individual items.
WrittenCommunications - Item7.2Raso - Received7/21/2026 This measure is worse then the 2010 Bell City California corruption scandal where seven officials, including the former mayor Oscar Hernandez, former city administrator Robert Rizzo, assistant city administrator, and four city council members were convicted on graft and corruption charges, and were given sentences ranging from probation to twelve years in prison.
Yesterday our very own Ethics commission recommend scraping this measure. What makes the proposed ballot unethical and subject to state and local prosecution are the hidden clauses inserted which contain labor provisions favoring public employee unions. The proposed binding arbitration rules would strengthen unions’ leverage during contract negotiations, therefore increasing future personnel costs in the millions.
Such clauses weakening Chula Vista bargaining position in exchange for council members to achieve a self interest pay raise could be seen as corruption by
The California State Auditor,
The California Attorney General
The County District Attorney, or
The California Fair Political Practice Commission
Our community does not need a corruption scandal which is surely on the horizon if this measure is placed on the ballot. I strongly urge you to kill this proposed ballot measure. Vote for what’ s best for the City as opposed to something which fills your pockets. It’ s gonna make you proud one day. I promise you.
Thank You
Joseph A Raso
WrittenCommunications - Item7.2Raso - Received7/21/2026