Administrative
Report
H.18., File # 24-1522 Meeting Date: 9/17/2024
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: DIANE STRICKFADEN, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE
ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY ORDINANCE NO. 3276-24, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2-3.904 OF ARTICLE 9, TITLE 2 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE UPDATING THE SALARY AND BENEFITS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY. FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Under the City Charter, the salary for elected officials must be set at least 30 days prior to the nomination period for a new four-year term. The filing period for the March 2025 election will open on November 12, 2024. Therefore, adjustments to salaries, if any, must be codified in an adopted ordinance no later than October 8, 2024.
The 2025 regular municipal election will cover three City Council seats (Districts 1, 2, and 4) and the City Attorney’s seat. The City Council last gave direction regarding the salaries for the Mayor and City Council positions in 2022. Adjustments were made for Council District 3 and District 5 that took effect in April 2023. Adjustments for the Mayor and Council Districts 1, 2, and 4 are scheduled to take effect in April 2025. However, the City Attorney’s salary has not been adjusted since 2020. It was last reviewed and updated in 2016 via the adoption of Ordinance No. O 3163-16. The Ordinance set forth salary increases of 2% in April 2018, 1.5% in April 2019, and 2.5% in April 2020.
The salary was reviewed again in 2020, but no additional changes were made.
On August 20, 2024, the City Council voted 4-1 to direct staff to prepare an ordinance to adjust the City Attorney’s salary from $274,452 per year to $280,000 per year, beginning April 1, 2025, and to receive subsequent 3% increases each April that follows in 2026, 2027, and 2028. The decision was made after Council reviewed salary surveys and comparable market data from several different jurisdictions.
On September 3, 2024, the City Council approved introduction of the attached Ordinance for first reading by a 4-1 vote. Attached for second reading and adoption is the proposed Ordinance that will codify the proposed salary adjustment for the City Attorney.
BACKGROUND
As noted, the compensation for the City Attorney is established by ordinance. Attached for second reading and adoption is a proposed ordinance to implement the City Council’s direction from August 20 and September 3, 2024. The proposed salary adjustments are reflected in the chart below:
H.18., File # 24-1522 Meeting Date: 9/17/2024
Effective Date From To % Increase
April 1, 2025 $274,452/year $280,000/year 2.021%
April 1, 2026 $280,000/year $288,400/year 3%
April 1, 2027 $288,400/year $297,052/year 3%
April 1, 2028 $297,052/year $305,964/year 3%
At their August 20, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council reviewed salary surveys and comparable market data from other sources, and voted 4-1 to adjust the salary for the City Attorney position. At that time, the Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance for consideration of approval. The City Council subsequently approved the attached ordinance for introduction and first reading at their meeting of September 3, 2024 via another 4-1 vote.
The attached Ordinance is hereby presented for second reading and adoption. It codifies the salary at $280,000 per year, beginning April 1, 2025, with subsequent 3% increases in April 2026, April 2027, and April 2028. The City Attorney position will continue to receive benefits in accordance with the Management and Confidential employee group’s Pay and Benefits Plan.
The elected City Attorney position oversees 12 full-time employees in two divisions, and is responsible for representing the City in both civil and prosecutorial matters.
COORDINATION
The Human Resources Department coordinated this report with the Finance Department. The City Attorney’s Office prepared the Ordinance as per Council direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
A 1% salary increase would have a fiscal impact of approximately $3,044 per year, which includes an increase to base salary, along with the commensurate impacts to the position’s pension and benefits.
For FY 2024-25, the impact of the proposed ordinance would be approximately $6,152, including benefits.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Ord - Amending Section 2-3.904 Of Article 9, Title 2 of The Redondo Beach Municipal Code, Updating The Salary And Benefits of the City Attorney