State Legislators could see a salary increase of $3,110, boosting their salaries to $116,208 per year? Legislators are also entitled to roughly $34,000 annually in tax-free per diem for living expenses while in Sacramento.
It is interesting that the State Legislators placed Proposition 1F on the May ballot. This Proposition prevents the Citizens Compensation Commission from increasing elected officials’ salaries in years when the state Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties is in the negative by an amount equal to or greater than one percent of the General Fund.
So, if Proposition 1F passes, the State Legislators will not get the $3,110 increase this year.
This, in a roundabout way, raises the question about how Council Members Compensation and Expense Reimbursements are treated.
Here are the facts:
General Law City Council Member salary ceiling is set by city population and salary increases are set by state law except for compensation established by city electors. See Cal. Gov’t Code § 36516.
Charter Cities may establish council members’ salaries. See Cal. Const. art. XI, § 5(b).
In both cases, if a city provides any type of compensation or payment of expenses to council members, then all council members are required to have two hours of ethics training. See Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 53234 – 53235.
Of course, not all cities are alike but it would be interesting to share staff reports, council resolutions, ordinances etc., that relate to your city’s council member compensation and Expense Reimbursements.
Please share your staff reports on Council Members Compensation and Expense Reimbursements by e-mailing the editor at jspencer@publicceo.com.