HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - COUNCIL SALARY MUNICODE AMEND SEC 2.04.048O
Agenda Item: 2
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
.` AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: April 14, 2026
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING
COUNCILMEMBER COMPENSATION PER GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 36516
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources and Library Services
PRESENTER: Kenneth W. Striplin
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council:
Review and discuss City Council compensation and determine increase to be effective after
the November 2026 election.
2. Introduce and pass to a second reading an ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 2.04.048 OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING
CITY COUNCIL SALARY."
BACKGROUND
Under specific provisions of state law, members of the Santa Clarita City Council are
compensated monthly by the City of Santa Clarita (City) for the substantial amount of time and
effort they contribute to leading our local government. In addition to participating in regular
meetings, City Councilmembers represent the City on regional and statewide boards,
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(a) sets forth basic provisions that allow regular adjustments to
the City Council compensation. Government Code Section 36516.5 requires City Council
compensation adjustments to be adopted by the present City Council to be effective after a future
City Council election. The Government Code also provides for Councilmember compensation to
be increased up to 5 percent for each calendar year from the effective date of the last salary
adjustment or up to an amount equal to inflation since January 1, 2024, based on the California
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Consumer Price Index, but not to exceed 10 percent per calendar year.
On January 1, 2025, Councilmember compensation was increased to $2,444.69 per month. This
increase was equal to 2.5 percent per year for the calendar years 2023 and 2024. This
compensation increase was less than the 5 percent per year allowed by Government Code. The
City Council has not received a salary adjustment since January 1, 2025, and the earliest the next
increase can be effective is January 1, 2027.
Consistent with the Government Code, Councilmember compensation may be reviewed for
consideration of a salary adjustment anytime prior to the November 2026 election. A salary
adjustment is proposed for a total pay increase of up to 5 percent (not compounded) for the
calendar years 2025 and 2026, for a total increase of up to 10 percent, to go into effect January 1,
2027, or after the November 2026 election results are certified by the Los Angeles County
Registrar Recorder and the Santa Clarita City Clerk, whichever date is later.
The proposed monthly salary adjustment is as follows:
Current salary Proposed salarLip to
$2,444.69 $2,689.16
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The maximum budget impact would be $244.47 per month per Councilmember or an annual
increase to the City budget of $14,668.20 for all five Councilmembers. Should the City Council
approve a lesser percentage adjustment, the adopted budget will reduce the fiscal impact
accordingly. The annual percent change for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Los Angeles
Area since the last Council salary adjustment is 3 percent for January 2025. The annual percent
change for California Consumer Price Index (CCPI) for 2025-26 is 3.1 percent. The annual
percent change for CCPI for 2026-27 is not yet available.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance
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2.a
ORDINANCE NO. 26-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 2.04.048
OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE
CONCERNING CITY COUNCIL SALARY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That Section 2.04.048 is amended to read as follows:
"2.04.048 City Council Salaries
The salary for City Councilmembers shall be increased as provided for in Government
Code Section 36516 from the amount of $2,444.69 to $X,XXX.XX per month effective on
January 1, 2027 or after the November 2026 election results are certified by the Los Angeles
County Registrar Recorder and the Santa Clarita City Clerk, whichever date is later. This salary
increase represents a total pay increase of X percent (not compounded) for the calendar years
2025 and 2026, for a total increase of X percent. Such salary shall be payable on a monthly basis
and in the same manner as salaries are paid to other officers and employees of the City of Santa
Clarita."
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect as set forth in Government Code section
36937, but the date set forth in section 2.04.048 reflects that the change in salary will not apply
to any Councilmembers during their current term of office. Instead it shall apply after one or
more members of the council has become eligible for such change in salary by virtue of
commencing a new term of office, at which time it shall apply to all Councilmembers.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause
the same to be published as required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this _ day of , 2026.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
DATE:
MAYOR
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2.a
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Ordinance 26- was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at a
regular meeting of the City Council on the th day of 2026. That thereafter, said
ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the th
day of 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance No. 26-
and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806).
CITY CLERK
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