CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April 15, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
SUBJECT: ADOPT 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. At the April 1, 2024 City Council meeting, an ordinance was introduced to increase Council member compensation to $950 per month. If adopted, the increase will begin when the next City Council term starts in December 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.
At the April 1, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council introduced the proposed ordinance increasing Council member compensation to $950 per month. This is the adoption (second reading) for the uncodified ordinance. If adopted, pursuant to GC § 36516.5, such an increase may not take effect until the beginning of the next Council term in December 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT
If adopted, the attached uncodified ordinance will increase Council compensation by $1,825 per month or $21,900 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
Adopt the proposed ordinance increasing Council members’ compensation to $950 per month.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Do not adopt the ordinance and provide further direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Proposed Ordinance
Prepared by: Janet Coleson, City Attorney