Administrative
Report
J.1., File # 24-1309 Meeting Date: 8/8/2024
To: BUDGET & FINANCE COMMISSION
From: DIANE STRICKFADEN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE
CONSIDERATION OF SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR ELECTED CITY ATTORNEY POSITION IN ADVANCE OF THE MARCH 2025 ELECTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2005, the City Council adopted Resolution CC-0505-56 to establish a process for consideration of future pay and/or benefit adjustments for elected officials. The resolution directs the Budget and Finance Commission to make recommendations to the City Council regarding elected official pay and potential adjustments, in advance of the filing period for a regular election. The 2025 regular municipal election will cover three City Council seats (Districts 1, 2 and 4) and the City Attorney’s seat. The filing period for the March 2025 election will open on November 12, 2024.
The City Council last gave direction regarding the salaries for the Mayor and City Council positions in 2022. Adjustments were made for District 3 and District 5 that took effect in April 2023. Adjustments for the Mayor and District 1, 2 and 4 will take effect in April 2025. The City Attorney’s salary was last reviewed and updated in 2016 via the adoption of Ordinance No. O3163-16 (attached). This ordinance set forth salary increases of 2% in April 2018; 1.5% in April 2019; and 2.5% in April 2020.
BACKGROUND
Under the City Charter, the salary for elected officials must be set by ordinance at least 30 days prior to the nomination period for a new four-year term. It cannot be increased or decreased from that point until the completion of the subsequent four-year term. As noted above, the City Council previously directed the Budget and Finance Commission to make recommendations regarding elected official pay adjustments, in advance of the filing period for a regular election.
The City Attorney’s salary was last set in 2016 via Ordinance No. O3163-16 (attached). This ordinance set forth salary increases of 2% in April 2018; 1.5% in April 2019; and 2.5% in April 2020.
There have been no increases or adjustments to the salary since 2020.
Per ordinance, the City Attorney position also receives the same benefits as the Management/Confidential Unit. As reference, since 2020, the Management/Confidential Unit has received a total of 8% in cost of living adjustments (1% in 2022; 2% in 2023 and 5% in 2024). which has caused the City Attorney position to “fall behind” relative to annual Management/Confidential adjustments by 8%.
6 J.1., File # 24-1309 Meeting Date: 8/8/2024
Staff also conducted a brief survey using cities historically compared to the Redondo Beach City Attorney position. In 2015, the last time this survey was conducted, the Redondo Beach City Attorney was at the median of the survey.
While it is difficult to compare the Redondo Beach office to other cities, as very few cities have elected City Attorney positions that are responsible for both civil matters and prosecution services, the updated survey results indicate the position is currently below the median (ranking four out of five) for the five surveyed agencies as indicated below:
City Title Annual Salary in 2024
Torrance City Attorney $255,058
Redondo Beach City Attorney $274,452
Inglewood City Attorney $280,798
Culver City City Attorney $315,009
Santa Monica City Attorney $380,004
After reviewing the increases previously provided to the Management/Confidential Unit, along with an updated survey showing the position has not kept pace with increases at other agencies, staff recommends the Commission consider adjustments to the City Attorney salary. If any changes are recommended by the Commission, a report will be taken to the City Council in September.
COORDINATION
The Human Resources Department prepared this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
A 1% of salary increase would have a fiscal impact of approximately $3,044 per year, which includes an increase to base salary along with the commensurate impact to the pension.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution and Ordinance
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