City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 23, 2024
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: CONSIDER MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBER COMPEN SATION, INCLUDING SALARY AND BENEFITS , UNDER SECTION 403 OF THE RIVERSIDE CITY
CHARTER
ISSUE:
Consider Mayor and City Council compensation, including salary and benefits, under Section 403 of the Riverside City Charter.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Decline to further explore a study of Ma yor and Councilmember compensation, including salary and benefits, under Section 403 of the Riverside City Char ter, relying on the most recent 5% increase approved on February 28, 2023; or
2. Consider convening a Charter Review Commi ttee and direct staff to return with options and a timeline for implementation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Go vernmental Processes Committee met on January 3, 2024, with Chair Cervantes, Vice Chair Perry, and Member Condor present, to discuss and provide staff with further direction on a study of the Mayor and City Council compensation.
After discussion the Committee unanimously voted to bring this item to the full City Council for review.
BACKGROUND:
On November 4, 2004, the voters of the City of Riverside approved Measure EE, which amended Section 403 of the Riverside Cit y Charter. Measure EE eliminat ed the Mayor and City Council Members Salary Commission and requires the City Council, in January of every odd- numbered year, to review the compensati on, including salary and fringe benefits, of the Mayor and City Council Members.
On February 28, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance Nos. 7626 and 7627, which provided a five percent (5%) salary increase and established the level of compensation of $7,242 monthly for the Mayor, and $3,629 monthly for Members of the City Council, respectively, and provided Mayor and City Council Compensation ● Page 2
certain fringe benefits.
The below chart summarizes Mayor and City Council compensation from 2002 through 2023.
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SALARY
YEAR MAYOR CITY COUNCIL
2002 $6,256 $3,128
2007 $6,569 $3,284
2009 $6,569 $3,284
2011 $6,569 $3,284
2013 $6,569 $3,284
2015 $6,897 $3,448
2017 $6,897 $3,448
2019 $6,897 $3,448
2021 $6,897 $3,448
2023 $7242 $3,620
For reference, staff completed a salary survey (Attachment 1) to compare Riverside to approved market basket agencies and others.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to Charter Section 403, any increase in salary for the Mayor and/or members of the City Council may not exceed five percent of their then- existing salary and must occur in January of every odd numbered year. Compensation shall be fixed by ordinance, adopted by not fewer than five affirmative votes of the City Council, after a public hearing notice of which has been given by publication by at least fourteen (14) days prior to such hearing.
By State law, any Charter amendment that would “alter any procedural or substantive protection, right, benefit, or employment status of any local government employee or retiree or of any local government employee organization” must be submitted at a statewide general election, i.e., March or November of even-numbered years. Proposals that do not so alter can be held on alternative dates.
If the Council decides to proceed with convening a Charter Review Committee, it will likely result in proposed amendments which will alter a benefit of local government employees. Therefore, the items for consideration must be submitted as ballot items in a statewide general election.
Staff is seeking further direction from the Council on how to proceed and will conduct research and provide options as appropriate.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government and Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaborat ion with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
Mayor and City Council Compensation ● Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Randy Solis, Principal Management Analyst Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Finance Director/Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Concurs with;
___________________________
Clarissa Cervantes, Chair
Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee
Attachments:
1. Compensation Comparison
2. Presentation