Item No. 21.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: JAMES MCQUEEN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
DATE: JULY 28, 2026
SUBJECT: SALARY RANGE ADJUSTMENT FOR POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution increasing the compensation for the position of City Attorney following the annual performance review conducted on March 24, 2026.
IN Cel ITAIkkfi1 :1 L117_ll11IQ 0l
That the City Council:
Adopt Resolution No. 26-8375, establishing compensation for the position of City Attorney.
BACKGROUND
On September 12, 2023, the City Council approved the current employment agreement between the City and John Funk. This employment agreement outlines the terms and conditions of employment between the City and Mr.
Funk as the City Attorney. The employment agreement includes an annual performance evaluation provision by which the City Council reviews the performance of the City Attorney. The agreement also establishes that the compensation for this position shall be established by resolution consistent with the City's other executive management positions.
ANALYSIS
As part of the City Council's approval of the attached Resolution, Senate Bill (SB) 1436 requires local agencies to report out certain information before changing the compensation or benefits of their "executives." Under this law, legislative bodies for agencies must orally report a summary of a recommendation for changes in salaries or benefits before voting for the changes. The votes must be taken in the open session portion of the meeting.
On March 24, 2026, the City Council completed the annual performance review for the City Attorney in accordance with the current employment agreement. Through this process, the Council directed staff to prepare a one-time salary adjustment of three percent (3%) for the position of City Attorney to be effective March 16, 2026. The proposed new rate of pay for the position of City Attorney will be $116.0797 - $141.7577 per hour ($20,120.49 to $24,571.36 per month). Following this adjustment, the position shall continue to receive all other cost of living adjustments consistent with the City's other Executive Management positions. The City Attorney position is designated as Executive Management. All other terms and conditions of employment are to remain the same as adopted in the original agreement.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval nfthe recommended action will result inanappropriation nf approximately$14,18Uk>the General Fund 10-4-1120 operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Attachments
RESOLUTION NO. 26-8375
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ATTORNEY WHEREAS, the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget includes funding for the full-time classification of City Attorney; and
WHEREAS, an annual performance review for the position of City Attorney was performed in accordance with the current employment agreement; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Downey desires to make a one-time salary adjustment of 3% for the position of City Attorney. Thereafter the position shall continue to receive all other costs of living adjustments consistent with the City's other executive management positions.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The following pay ranges shall take effect March 16, 2026 following City Council adoption of this resolution as follows:
Classification Title Grade
City Attorney
04-104
City Attorney
04-104
City Attorney
04-104
City Attorney
04-104
City Attorney
04-104
Pay Range
$20,120.49 to $24,571.36/mo. (Effective 3/16/2026)
$20,925.31 to $25,554.21/mo. (Effective 4/27/2026)
$21,762.32 to $26,576.38/mo. (Effective 4/26/2027)
$22,632.81 to $27,639.44/mo. (Effective 4/24/2028)
$23,538.12 to $28,745.02/mo. (Effective 4/23/2029)
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28 1h day of July, 2026.
H A=
ATTEST:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 26-8375
PAGE 2
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Downey at a Regular meeting held on the 281" day of July, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
Council Members:
NOES:
Council Members:
ABSENT:
Council Members:
ABSTAIN:
Council Members:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CIVIC
City Clerk