Santa Rosa City Council
February 13, 2024

1 COUNCIL COMPENSATION INCREASESCity Council February 13, 2024Teresa Stricker, City Attorney Current Council CompensationCouncil Members currently receive a salary of $1,480 per month ($17,760 per year), and the Mayor $2,220 per month ($26,640 per year). Last increase was in December 2022.Council Members are also entitled to health, vision, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement and certain other benefits employees receive. These benefits have a current value of approximately $19,700 to $37,700 per year.2 Current Process for Increasing Council Member SalariesCity Charter currently ties the amount of Council Member compensation to state law but requires that the Mayor receive 1.5 times the salary of Council Members.State law permits city councils to increase their salaries by ordinance up to certain amounts based on population, with limited adjustments for inflation. 3 Background:Charter Review Committee In 2022, the Charter Review Committee recommended a ballot measure be submitted to the voters in November 2022 to amend the Charter’s Council compensation provisions based onWorkloadDifficulties balancing private employment, childcare, family and responsibilities of CouncilCouncil compensation in other Northern California Cities 4 Committee ConclusionCharter Review Committee concluded that increased compensation would Enable a greater diversity of Council membership Ensure continued strong commitment and professionalism of CouncilReflect fairness and respect for the extensive and important work performed by Council 5 Committee Recommended Ballot MeasureTie Mayor’s salary to County Area Median Income for a three-person household ($101,500 annually when the Committee recommended; currently $115,300 annually)Set Council Member salary at 2/3 of Mayor’s salary ($67,667 annually when the Committee recommended; currently $76,867 annually)Consider reducing salary for unexcused absences, parallel with a city-wide salary reduction or as otherwise determined by Council6 Council Action Following the Committee’s RecommendationIn August 2022, Council determined it would consider the ballot measure recommended by the Committee for the November 2024 ballot.In December 2022, Council instead adopted an ordinance increasing Council salaries to their current levels. (There had been no increase since 2005.)7 Senate Bill 329 Since 2022, there has been a change in state law. SB 329 increased state law limits on city council member salaries effective January 2024.Based on the City’s population, SB 329 allows the Council to increase, by ordinance, Council Member salary up to $2,550 per month ($30,600 per year), effective when a Council Member begins a new term. Under Charter requirements, the Mayor’s compensation would be 1.5 times Council Member salary (up to $3,825 per month or $45,900 per year.) 8 Senate Bill 329 The value of other non-salary benefits are not included in Council salary limits under SB 329. Future salary increases beyond the limits set by SB 329 may be made up to the greater of (1) a flat 5% per year from date of the last salary adjustment or (2) the increase in inflation since January 2024, capped at 10% per year.9 Option 1: Ballot MeasureSubmit Ballot Measure to Voters to Amend Charter’s Council Compensation ProvisionsCharter Review Committee recommendationMayor: 100% County AMI for 3-member family (currently approximately $9,608 per month, $115,300 per year)Council Members: 2/3 of Mayor’s salary (currently approximately $6,406 per month, $76,867 per year)10 Option 1: Ballot MeasureSubmit Ballot Measure to Voters to Amend Charter’s Council Compensation ProvisionsOther options Charter Review Committee considered:percentage of County Supervisor salarydifferent percentage of County AMIaverage or lowest City employee salary average among comparable cities11 Option 2: OrdinanceAdopt an Ordinance under SB 329 to increase Council compensation:Council Members: Up to $2,550 per month ($30,600 per year) Mayor: Up to $3,825 per month ($45,900 per year)Timing: Any increase cannot take effect until a Council Member begins a new term.12 Option 3: No ActionTake no action to increase Council salaries at this time 13 Questions?
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