CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 01, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. ___
INCREASING CITY COUNCIL COMPENSATION
SYNOPSIS
State law was recently changed to increase the amount of compensation allowed to be paid to Council members. The proposed ordinance increases Council member compensation to $1,374.75 per month but will require a second reading and thirty days for passage and will not become effective until the next Council term starts in December of 2024.
DISCUSSION
Background
California Government Code (“GC”) §§ 36516 and 36516.5, allow a city council to adopt an ordinance authorizing compensation for city council members subject to certain limitations. There is a corresponding provision in the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code (“PHMC”) which provides that salaries for Council members shall be established by ordinance. (PHMC 2.05.030) In June 2023, the Governor signed SB 329, which amended GC § 36516, effective January 1, 2024, to increase the maximum compensation for council members. The author of SB 329 stated that city council members have one of the hardest jobs in California government, dealing with a wide range of issues, often with very little financial compensation. The author also stated that these low levels of pay make it much harder for council members to balance their careers and personal obligations with the calling to serve their community. Further, the author stated that raising the compensation for council members will make it easier for members of marginalized communities to serve, and that increasing compensation is an important step in achieving city councils that are reflective of their communities.
The allowed amount of compensation is based on population as determined by the last preceding federal census. The maximum salary for council members in a city up to 35,000 in population (the April 1, 2020 U.S. census determined Pleasant Hill had a population of 34,613) is now set at $950 per month with allowable increases of up to 5% for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment. Council members’ current compensation is $585 per month. That compensation amount has not been increased since 1997. A list of the ordinances and compensation amounts is attached as Exhibit A.
Since the composition for elected officials has not been increased since 1997, the Council is authorized under Government Code § 36516 to increase the compensation amount by 5% for each year since the last increase. Thus, the Council may authorize an increase up to $1,374.75 per month (((5% x $585) x 27 years) + $585 = $1374.75.) If the proposed increase is introduced at the April 1st meeting, the uncodified ordinance will need a second reading and 30 days for passage. As well, pursuant to GC § 36516.5, such an increase may not take effect until the beginning of the next Council term in December of 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT
If adopted, the attached uncodified ordinance will increase Council compensation by $3,948.75 per month or $47,385 annually, and this amendment will be incorporated into the City’s Biennial Budget.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department.
The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Receive public comment and introduce the proposed ordinance increasing Council members’ compensation to $1,374.75 per month.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Do not introduce the ordinance and provide further direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Exhibit A – Summary of City Council Compensation History Proposed Ordinance
Submitted by: Janet Coleson, City Attorney