After a short discussion Tuesday night, the Oakley City Council agreed that the position deserves a pay raise.
Per State law, the Council agreed to move forward with the idea of a 5 percent pay raise which equates to a $21.75 per month hike. The council is allowed to discuss a raise every two years prior to general municipal elections.
The Oakley City Council is making $435 per month and according to a recent Grand Jury Investigation highlighted of those cities in Contra Costa paying stipends, Oakley was paying the lowest—three cities pay zero stipends.
The 5 percent increase would bring the total pay per month to $456.75 which still is less than Antioch ($941), Brentwood ($569), Pittsburg ($500) and Manteca ($500). Antioch also pays into PERS and health insurance for their council along with car allowance and cell phone allowance.
Councilman Kevin Romick agreed with the raise as he shared the findings of the Grand Jury Report noting Oakley is the lowest paid stipend.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Doug Hardcastle joked about the idea of a raise.
“If we do take this raise will we get a financial adviser provided to us and will we be put in a different tax bracket?” said Hardcastle.
Councilwoman Diane Burgis thought a raise was justified and that eventually could lead to better candidates to run for the council.
“We do want to be competitive and attract people and if that extra $21.75 makes a difference then I am for it. If you are really doing a good job as a council person you are traveling, spending time and I agree, it should not be wealthy people serving on the city council. I support that,” said Burgis.
Mayor Randy Pope said its difficult voting for a raise for yourself but was glad none of them were getting rich off serving the people of Oakley. He acknowledged that the time you spend serving the public is time you are not spending earning a living.
“I am very proud of the fact none of us are getting rich off this. We do not have car allowances or things like that. There are a couple things that would be good, perhaps in lieu of the raise. We do not even have an office in city hall, we do not have a desk to come work at, we work out of our homes. I bring my own laptop so I do not have to use the copy machine,” said Pope. “I would like to see the council assigned a laptop computer to new councilmembers. Perhaps the use of a cell phone. I’d like the council to weigh in on that as possible alternatives.”
Pope believes this would be more environmentally friendly and provide a mobile office for councilmembers to work.
Burgis supported Popes thought process and idea in pricinpal, but stated the cost would exceed the $21 increase in stipend.
“I actually support going paperless, but I believe that would be more costly than what we are talking about. I think that would be a thousand dollars more. We are talking about a $1,305 annual spending increase. Laptops alone for councilmembers would cost more,” said Burgis.
City Manager Bryan Montgomery highlighted that volunteering to serve on the City Council is expensive but there are some alternatives to making it easier on council members by creating policies for reimbursements—such as cell phones, mileage, etc.
With a consensus for a raise, staff will now bring back n ordinance for the increase salary of $21.75 per month. If the City Council determines to increase the salary rate at a future meeting, there would be a General Fund total cost of $1,305.00 per year.
Staff Report: Analysis
I believe it is my duty to bring this matter to City Council’s attention. Should you wish action taken on this matter, please provide direction to staff.
The method of providing and adjusting City Council salaries is set in state law, with formulas provided. Government Code Sec. 36516.5 states that Council salaries are set by adoption of a local ordinance accomplished prior to a general municipal election, with the salary increase only becoming effective after the election. In this way, Council members are not necessarily voting on their own salary adjustments, as they may determine not to run in the election or may not be successful at the election. (Obviously the members not standing for election would be in a different situation, but State law provides that the increase is effective as to~ members following the election.)
The Council member salary is set at $435.00 per month and was last established in 2010, becoming effective in January 2011 following the 2010 general municipal election. State law allows a five (5%) percent increase at each adjustment. Thus if the Council is interested in pursuing this matter, the salary could increase $21.75 per month to a new total for each member of $456.75.
Frankly, this modest increase seems like it probably doesn’t even cover Council member gasoline expenses. I would point out that the City Council did eliminate the PERS retirement benefit for Council members beginning with those elected after July 13, 2012.
This action has saved, and is saving, the City’s general fund substantial monies over the years. Also, the Oakley City Council does not have a health insurance benefit (Council members may pay the full cost of such benefit if they wish-none currently do) nor do they take any other benefits. City Council members in other Contra Costa cities do have retirement and health coverage benefits, so the Oakley City Council is quite modest in the salary and fringe benefit department.
If the City Council wishes to consider a salary adjustment as outlined above, please direct our office to prepare the necessary ordinance. This would have to be done soon, as the ordinance must be adopted and go into effect (30 days after adoption) prior to the November general election.
Fiscal Impact
If the City Council determines to increase the salary rate, there would be a General Fund total cost of $1,305.00 per year.
