From: Kalid Sanchez
Date: April 15, 2026 at 2:57:04 PM PDT
To: Lucy Mallonee <[email protected]>
Subject: 4/15 city council meeting please add to do days meeting for open forum Subject: Concerns Regarding Salary Increases
Dear City Council Members,
My name is Kalid Sanchez, and I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share my thoughts on the recent discussions about salary increases for city council members, as I am unable to attend today’s meeting in person.
I believe that everyone deserves a raise, especially given the rising costs we all face. However, the proposed increase seems excessive. If the concern is that volunteer council members have not received raises in years, we should focus on establishing policies for regular salary reviews to address this issue fairly.
Moreover, I am troubled by the practice of council members voting on their own raises, as it undermines the necessary checks and balances in our governance. Instead, raises should be formally requested and decided by constituents, ensuring transparency and accountability. This raises significant red flags that need careful consideration.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing more about how we can ensure fairness and transparency in city council compensation practices.
Best regards,
Kalid Sanchez
Los Banos District 1 Community Member