Final Report and Recommendations from Committee on
City Councilmembers’ Compensation Regarding
Compensation, Allowances, and Benefits for the Mayor
and Members of the City Council
Agenda Item 11
October 27, 2025
Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
It is recommended by the Committee on City Councilmembers’ Compensation that the City Council:
> Consider implementing the recommended increases to City Council compensation; and
> Direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance within 60 days to incorporate adjustments to the compensation by amounts not-to- exceed the recommendations of the Committee, subject to approval by not less than 2/3 majority vote of the City Council. 2 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Committee’s Guiding Principles:
> Equity - Reducing financial barriers to public service on City Council
> Safety - Recognizing the need for personal security in a polarized political climate
> Support for Volunteer Governance - Maintaining the City’s tradition of part-time, citizen-led governance while
acknowledging the significant time and effort required of Councilmembers
3 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
The Committee presents the following recommendations:
> Stipend Increases:
• Councilmembers: Increase from $1,941 to $3,000 per month o $23,290 to $36,000 annually
• Mayor: Increase from $2,911 - $4,500 per month
o $34,933 to $54,000 annually
> New Reimbursable Allowances:
• Family Care Allowance: $18,000 annually per Councilmember and Mayor to support childcare and dependent care needs
• Office Setup, Operations, and Security Allowance: $20,000 per term per Councilmember and Mayor to cover home office equipment, telecommunications, and home security systems
> General Expense Reimbursable Allowance:
• Councilmembers: Increase from $3,600 to $6,000 annually • Mayor: Increase from $6,000 to $11,000 annually
4 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
5 Current Recommended
Compensation / Allowance CM Mayor CM Mayor
Stipend (Monthly) $1,941 $2,911 $3,000 $4,500
Health Benefits (Annual Max) $27,321 $27,321 $27,321 $27,321 General Expense ( Annual Max) $3,600 $6,000 $6,000 $11,000 Telecommunications (Annual Max) $1,800 $3,600 n/a n/a
Cellular (Per Term Max) $300 $300 n/a n/a
Computer (Per Term Max) $5,000 $5,000 n/a n/a
Family Care (Annual Max) n/a n/a $18,000 $18,000
Office Setup, Operations, and Security
(Per Term Max) n/a n/a $20,000 $20,000
Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
• Future Increases
> The CPI driven methodology established in the PMC Section 2.05.210 (B) is not proposed to change and will continue to provide annual increases to the Councilmember and Mayoral stipends, up to a maximum of 5% > Future consideration of City Council compensation as a whole will occur at least once every five years pursuant to and in conformance with the City Charter Section 405
6 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
• Technology Resources for City Council District Liaisons > Committee sought to make clear that the Office Setup, Operations, and Security Allowance should not be necessary to support the work of Council District Liaisons
> All technology and office-related expenses for City Council District Liaisons should be funded directly by the City in a manner commensurate with what is provided to other City employees and not deducted from Councilmembers’ individual allowance
7 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Fiscal Impact:
> FY26 Total Estimated Annual Cost: $314,000
• Stipend Increases: $135,000
• Allowance Increases: $179,000
> Actual costs may be lower depending on utilization rates of reimbursable allowances and implementation dates
8 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Items for Additional Council Consideration:
> Extending Office Setup, Operations, and Security Allowance to security expenses beyond home security
• Committee members felt allowance should be implemented in a manner that allows for a broader use of personal security needs > Proration of allowances for partial terms
• Consider pro-rating at 50% for terms of less than 2 years • Consider pro-rating upon implementation of Committee’s recommendations > Definition of family member for purposes of establishing eligibility to receive Family Care Reimbursable Allowance
> May apply State or federal definitions of family member, or another definition established by the City Council
> Timing for the implementation of increases to the stipend or allowances
9 Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Recommended Next Steps:
A. Approve the Committee’s recommendation without changes; or B. Modify the Committee’s recommendation with compensation changes not to exceed the recommendations of the Committee; and
> If either A or B, direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance within 60 days to incorporate Council approved adjustments; or
C. Refer the matter to a Council Committee or ad hoc committee for additional review and consideration; or
D. Take no further action
**Any changes to compensation must be comprehensive and contained in one ordinance pursuant to Charter Section 405
10 Questions and Discussion
Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Current Council Stipend and Burden Rates
12 Title Annual Medicare CalPERS (FY26) WC TOTAL
1.45% 35.23% 0.26%
MAYOR $34,933 $507 $12,307 $91 $47,837
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $0 $61 $23,688
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $8,205 $61 $31,893
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $8,205 $61 $31,893
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $0 $61 $23,688
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $8,205 $61 $31,893
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $0 $61 $23,688
COUNCILMEMBER $23,290 $338 $8,205 $61 $31,893
$197,963 $2,870 $45,127 $515 $246,475
Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Recommended Council Stipend and Burden Rates
13 Title Annual Medicare CalPERS (FY26) WC TOTAL
1.45% 35.23% 0.26%
MAYOR $54,000 $783 $19,024 $140 $73,948
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $0 $94 $36,616
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $12,683 $94 $49,298
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $12,683 $94 $49,298
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $0 $94 $36,616
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $12,683 $94 $49,298
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $0 $94 $36,616
COUNCILMEMBER $36,000 $522 $12,683 $94 $49,298
$306,000 $4,437 $69,755 $796 $380,988
Committee on Councilmembers’ Compensation
Current and Recommended Allowances
*Per term allowances are averaged over four years
14 Allowance Category Current Recommended
General Expense $31,200 $53,000
Cellular* $600 $0
Telecommunications $16,200 $0
Computer* $10,000 $0
Family Care $0 $144,000
Telecommunications $0 $0
Office Setup, Operations, and Security * $0 $40,000
$58,000 $237,000