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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - COUNCIL SALARY CODE 36516 (2)Agenda Item: 12 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA Q) AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS i, CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: 1 j=� DATE: January 12, 2016 SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF COUNCILMEMBER SALARY PER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 36516 DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office PRESENTER: Kenneth W. Striplin RECOMMENDED ACTION Provide direction to staff regarding Councilmember salary. BACKGROUND This Council Salary item was recently presented to City Council for consideration at the October 27, 2015, City Council meeting. Council voted against a salary increase. This topic was raised by Mayor Pro Tem Acosta at the December 8, 2015, City Council meeting and re-agendized by the City Council for further discussion at their January 12, 2016 meeting. Members of the Santa Clarita City Council are compensated monthly by the City, under specific provisions of state law, for the substantial amount of time and effort they contribute leading our local government. In addition to participating in regular meetings, City Councilmembers represent the City on regional and statewide boards and commissions and organizations. Councilmembers also participate in a wide variety of community events and meet with constituents on issues of concern to residents of the City. Government Code Section 36516(c) sets forth basic provisions which allow regular adjustments to the City Council salary. Government Code Section 36516.5 requires City Council salary adjustments be adopted by the present City Council to be effective for future City Councils. The Government Code also provides for Councilmember salary to be increased up to 5% for each calendar year from the effective date of the last adjustment to salary. On July 1, 2014, Councilmember salary was increased to $1,832.57 per month. This increase was equal to 3% per year for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. This salary increase was less than the 5% per year allowed by Government Code. The City Council did not receive a salary adjustment in calendar year 2015, nor is one scheduled for calendar year 2016. Page 1 PacketPg. 95 Consistent with the Government Code, Councilmember salary may be reviewed for consideration of a salary adjustment anytime prior to the November 2016 election. However, any potential increase approved by the current City Council cannot go into effect until after the November 2016 election results are certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder and the Santa Clarita City Clerk. Accordingly, the current City Council has the ability to consider a Councilmember salary adjustment of up to 5% per year for the calendar years 2015 and 2016, as the Council did not receive salary adjustments for those years. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT The current Council salary is $1,832.57 per month. If the City Council chooses the maximum salary increase of 5% per year for the two calendar year periods as allowed by state law, the new rate of pay would be $2,015.83 per month. This increase in Councilmember salary would take effect on the first full pay period calendar year 2017, following the certification of the November 2016 election results. The maximum budget impact would be $183.26 per month per Councilmember or an annual increase to the City budget of $10,995.60. Should the City Council approve a lesser percentage adjustment, the adopted budget will reduce the fiscal impact accordingly. ATTACHMENTS California Government Code 36516 and 36516.5 Page 2 Packet Pg. 96 California Government Code 36516. (a) (1) A city council may enact an ordinance providing that each member of the city council shall receive a salary based on the population of the city as set forth in paragraph (2). (2) The salaries approved by ordinance under paragraph (1) shall be as follows: (A) In cities up to and including 35,000 in population, up to and including three hundred dollars ($300) per month. (B) In cities over 35,000 up to and including 50,000 in population, up to and including four hundred dollars ($400) per month. (C) In cities over 50,000 up to and including 75,000 in population, up to and including five hundred dollars ($500) per month. (D) In cities over 75,000 up to and including 150,000 in population, up to and including six hundred dollars ($600) per month. (E) In cities over 150,000 up to and including 250,000 in population, up to and including eight hundred dollars ($800) per month. (F) In cities over 250,000 population, up to and including one thousand dollars ($1,000) per month. (3) For the purposes of this subdivision, the population of a city shall be determined by the last preceding federal census, or a subsequent census, or estimate validated by the Department of Finance. (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. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), at any municipal election, the question of whether city council members shall receive a salary for services, and the amount of that salary, may be submitted to the electors. If a majority of the electors voting at the election favor it, all of the council members shall receive the salary specified in the election call. The salary of council members may be increased beyond the amount provided in this section or decreased below the amount in the same manner. (c) Unless specifically authorized by another statute, a city council may not enact an ordinance providing for, compensation to city council members in excess of that authorized by the procedures described in subdivisions (a) and (b). For the purposes of this section, compensation includes payment for service by a city council member on a commission, committee, board, authority, or similar body on which the city council member serves. If the other statute that authorizes the compensation does not specify the amount of compensation, the maximum amount shall be one hundred fifty dollars ($150) per month for each commission, committee, board, authority, or similar body. (d) Any amounts paid by a city for retirement, health and welfare, and federal social security benefits shall not be included for purposes of determining salary under this section, provided that the same benefits are available and paid by the city for its employees. 12.a Packet Pg. 97 (e) Any amounts paid by a city to reimburse a council member for actual and necessary expenses pursuant to Section 36514.5 shall not be included for purposes of determining salary pursuant to this section. (f) A city council member may waive any or all of the compensation permitted by this section. 36516.5. A change in compensation does not apply to a councilman during his term of office; however, the prohibition herein expressed shall not prevent the adjustment of the compensation of all members of a council serving staggered terms whenever one or more members of such council becomes eligible for a salary increase by virtue of his beginning a new term of office. 12.a Packet Pg. 98