FROM:
City Manager's Office
SUBJECT:
Title
Amending Fontana Municipal Code Section 2-39 to Increase the Salary for Members of the City Council and Mayor; Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
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COUNCIL GOALS:
• To create a team by working together to provide stability and consistent policy direction.
• To increase citizen involvement by developing future leaders.
DISCUSSION:
Government Code Section 36516 controls the salary of council members in general law cities and provides for up to a five percent (5%) annual increase in city council member salaries from the operative date of the last city council salary adjustment. Government Code Section 36516.1 also provides that a directly-elected mayor may receive compensation in addition to the compensation she receives as a council member.
Government Code Section 36516.5 further provides that any change in City Council compensation adopted via ordinance pursuant to Section 36516 shall become effective whenever one or more members of the city council becomes eligible for a salary increase by virtue of the council member beginning a new term of office.
Currently, members of the City Council receive $1,755.00 per month in compensation, which was set in December 2018 by Ordinance No. 1786 and codified in Section 2-39 of the Fontana Municipal Code. The Mayor’s additional compensation, according to Section 2-39 of the Fontana Municipal Code, is $1,745.00 per month.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 36516(a), the City Council members are eligible for a 5% increase for each year since the most recent adjustment in 2018. Thus, if the effective date of the compensation adjustment is January 2023, the City Council members and Mayor are entitled to a 5% adjustment for four (4) years. This amounts to an additional $351 per month for the City Council members and an additional $349 per month for the Mayor (($1,755 x 5% x 4 years); ($1,745 x 5 % x 4 years ) respectively).
Salary adjustments for members of City Council would be effective beginning January 1, 2023 consistent with Government Code section 36516.5. The salary adjustment for the Mayor would be effective immediately following the effective date of the proposed ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed ordinance, if implemented, would result in a net increase in salary expenses of $25,248 per year.
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation.