Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2021­-19 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Amending Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code Relating to Compensation of Councilmembers; and

Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2021­-20 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Amending Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code Relating to Compensation of the Mayor

At the April 20 City Council meeting, staff was directed to introduce ordinances amending Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code updating councilmember and mayor compensation.  This action is consistent with California State Government Code Section 36516.  Any changes to Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code related to compensation changes would not take effect until council’s new term of office beginning on or about December 2022, as required under Section 36516.5 of the Government Code.

Below is the California Government Code as it pertains to councilmember compensation:

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 ($600) per month.”

California Government Code, Government of Cities, Title 4, Section 36516.4
“The salary of councilmembers 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 five percent (5%) 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.”

The council could choose to not increase the compensation of councilmembers and mayor. This is not recommended as compensation has not been increased in over 30 years, and the current salaries are inconsistent with California Government Code as well as neighboring cities.

Emily Combs, Director of Finance

(707) 428-7629

ecombs@fairfield.ca.gov