City Councilmember salaries have not increased since 1988 when the current $500 per month salary was adopted by Ordinance No. 88-22. In addition, the Mayor’s salary has not increased since 1988 with the current $600 per month salary adopted by Ordinance No. 88-23 (Attachments 1 and 2). Staff has compared councilmember salaries for neighboring cities for Council’s review (Attachment 3) as well as spoken to staff in Vallejo and Vacaville regarding councilmember compensation.

In addition, below is the California Government Code as it pertains to councilmember salaries:

California Government Code, Government of Cities, Title 4, section 36516.2.D - “in cities over 75,000 up to and including 150,000 in population, up to and including six hundred dollars ($600) per month.”

California Government Code, Government of Cities, Title 4, section 36516.4 - “the salary of council members may be increased beyond the amount provided in this subdivision by an ordinance or by an amendment to an ordinance, but the amount of the increase shall not exceed an amount equal to 5 percent for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment of the salary in effect when the ordinance or amendment is enacted. No ordinance shall be enacted or amended to provide automatic future increases in salary.”

Given all the information collected, staff has prepared the following 3 options for your discussion and direction:

Option 1: Increase salary to comply with California Government Code, Title 4, section 36516.2.D* from $500/month to $600/month (based on population).

Option 2: Increase salary to comply with California Government Code, Title 4, section 36514.4.D and 36516.4** from $500/month to $600/month (based on population) and a 5% increase for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment of salary (32 years). This increase would equate to $1,300/month ($500/month + (5% * 32 years = 160%).

Option 3: Increase salary by 2.5% over 32 years (lower than what is allowed in the California Government Code) increasing salary from $500/month to $900/month.

Based on the direction given, staff is prepared to have the introduction and public hearing of the ordinance at the May 4 Council meeting, followed by the second reading and adoption of the ordinance at the May 18 Council meeting.  The ordinance would be effective 30 days from adoption on June 18.