CITY COUNCIL SALARIES POLICY DISCUSSION:
FY 2023-25 COUNCIL POLICY WORKPLAN
(PROPOSED AMENDMENT #2)
City Council Meeting
June 5, 2023
PROPOSED FY 2023-25 COUNCIL WORKPLAN AMENDMENT
May 15, 2023 City Council Meeting:
On motion made by Councilmember Pabon-Alvarado, duly seconded, the Council directed by majority vote to proceed with the following Proposed Council Workplan Policy Amendment #2 regarding amending City Council salaries to be considered at the June 5, 2023 City Council meeting for formal adoption, as follows:
1. Direct the drafting of an Ordinance for Council’s consideration no later than September 30, 2024 to increase all City Elected Officials’ salaries (with no changes to other benefits) following the next municipal election in November 2024, to take effect when there is a minimum of one (1) Councilmember who commences a new term pursuant to applicable State law requirements.
2. Explore the operational feasibility of staff bringing forward for the City Council’s consideration every two years to increase all City Elected Officials’ salaries (with no changes to other benefits) to take effect when there is a minimum of one (1) new Councilmember who commences a new term pursuant to State law requirements 10-YEAR HISTORY ON ELECTED SALARIES AMENDMENTS
Current Salaries:
• Current Council Salaries: $1,094 per month Current Clerk & Treasurer: $ 240 per month Previous Council Actions/Amendments:
September 17, 2018: Adopted Council Ordinance #2018-004 Increased salaries for Councilmembers, Clerk and Treasurer to current salaries (+5% per calendar year since last amendment in 2014 for a total of +20% salary increase) effective December 2018 per State law requirements October 6, 2014: Adopted Council Ordinance #2014-011
Increased Council Salaries Only from $702 per month to $912 per month (i.e. +5% per calendar year since last amendment in 2008 for a total of +30% salary increase) effective December 2014 per State law requirements October 20, 2014: Adopted Council Ordinance #2014-014 Increased City Clerk Salary Only to $400 per month for the 2014-2018 elected term only (since last amendment in 2007) and reverted back to $200 per month thereafter effective December 2018 per State law requirements
STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL LAW CITIES
State Government Code 36516(a) Requirements:
Codified under SPMC 2.40.040 - City Council Salaries
• Per State law, an increase in the compensation of council members is authorized in an amount not to exceed five (5%) percent for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment of salary in effect when the ordinance becomes enacted (under SPMC 2.40.040). No ordinance shall be amended or enacted to provide automatic future salary increases (i.e. No automatic COLAs). • Said increased salary shall become effective at the beginning of the new term(s) of elective office following the last election. Pre-existing salaries shall remain in effect until the effective date of this increase.
IF COUNCIL WISHES TO PROCEED ON FUTURE SALARY AMENDMENT
1. City Council must comply with State Government Code 36516(a) requirements if it intends on adjusting salaries for City Council.
2. Any future salary adjustments to City elected officials must be directed by majority vote, and via adopted Ordinance, with the operative date of the Ordinance before Councilmembers are sworn after November 2024 election. To make this can happen, ordinance must be adopted (second reading) no later than October 2024.
3. Pre-existing salaries for elected officials shall remain in effect until the effective date of the operative Ordinance and when the new elective terms of office commence
following the November 2024 election (in
December 2024)
BI-ANNUAL OPERATIVE REVIEW: FUTURE SALARY AMENDMENTS
Bi-Annual Operative Review (New):
Potentially consider directing an operative review of future salary amendments for City elected officials beginning in Fall 2026, and every two-year period thereafter, prior to each subsequent municipal election cycle to potentially increase City elected officials salaries (with no other changes to benefits) via adopted Ordinance per State law requirements under State GC 36516(a)/SPMC 2.40.040.
Note: Procedurally, the City Council may direct the City Manager to prepare/schedule a City Elected Salary Adjustment Review (via appropriately drafted Ordinance) for future consideration every two-year period beginning in Fall 2026 (and prior to each subsequent municipal election cycle).
COUNCIL PRIORITY WORKPLAN AMENDMENT #2
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: ADD THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) NEW POLICIES TO WORKPLAN UNDER MAJOR POLICY AREA: BUILD A HEALTHY COMMUNITY
• Policy Item No.120: Increase, via future adopted Ordinance City elected officials’ salaries (with no changes to other benefits, to take effect when there is a minimum of one (1) new Councilmember who commences a new term after November 2024 election pursuant to all applicable State law requirements.
• Policy Item No.121: Explore the operational feasibility of staff bringing forward for Council Consideration every two-years beginning in the Fall of 2026 an ordinance to increase City elected officials’ salaries, with no other changes to benefits, to be considered by future adopted Ordinance at least 60 days in advance of every subsequent municipal election held after the November 2024 election, and before the sitting of the next elected Council per all applicable State law requirements.
Once Proposed Workplan Amendment No. 2 is approved via Resolution, the City Manager, City Attorney and designated City HR staff may conduct additional legal and policy research (i.e. salary survey, etc.), and bring forward a drafted Ordinance for formal consideration and adoption once directed by majority vote of the Council.
QUESTIONS?