PROPOSED INCREASE TO
COUNCIL COMPENSATION
City Council
December 6, 2022
Sue Gallagher, City Attorney
1 Background
Considerable discussion of Council compensation over the past year
Concerns that current pay does not adequately reflect the extensive work and responsibilities of the Council
Concerns that current pay does not adequately allow for full diversity on the Council
Charter amendment recommended, but not pursued at this time
2 Current Status
Council members currently receive a salary of $800 per month, for a total annual salary of $9,600
Council members generally work an average of 20 to 30 hours per week
The Mayor currently receives a salary of $1200 per month, for a total annual salary of $14,400
The Mayor’s position typically requires 40+ hours per week 3 Current Status
Council members also receive benefits in alignment with other City employees
Benefits include health, vision, dental, life insurance, long- term disability, retirement and others
The value of benefits varies and ranges between
approximately $19,400 to $33,700
4 Current City Charter Provision
Proposal to increase Council compensation as currently allowed by the City Charter
Baseline: Section 4 of the City Charter authorizes the Council to provide compensation to its members in
accordance with the provisions of state law
Baseline: Section 4 also provides that the Mayor shall receive compensation equal to 150% of that paid to Council members
5 Establishment of Initial Salary
State law provides a schedule of Council compensation based on city population
For cities with populations between 150K and 250K, state law provides for an initial Council member salary of $800 per month
City Council adopted the $800 per month salary by
ordinance in 2005
Council salaries have remained unchanged since that time 6 Allowable Increases
State law allows Council salaries to be increased up to 5% per year
The allowable 5% increase is a flat rate, not compounded Santa Rosa: $40 per month increase is permitted annually The annual 5% increase may accumulate if not immediately applied
Santa Rosa: Allowable increases have not been taken and thus have accumulated since 2005 (17 years)
7 Allowable Increases
Adjustments can be made only when at least one council member begins new term
Santa Rosa: Council members begin a new term after
presentation of the certified vote on December 13th
Proposed ordinance:
Would make the adjustments allowable under City Charter and state law
Salary increase effective December 14th
8 Proposed Increase
Calculation – Council members:
$800/month starting point = $9,600 annual salary
Add $40/month x 17 = $680/month raise
Equals $1480/month = $17,760 annually
Calculation – Mayor:
150% of monthly Council salary = $2,220
150% of annual Council member salary = $26,640
9 Questions and Discussion
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