Cal Cities-sponsored legislation would reduce barriers to elected office, adjust council pay for inflation
Low compensation is often cited as a barrier to elected office, especially for people from diverse backgrounds.
Sen. Bill Dodd introduced a bill on Tuesday that would allow general law cities to adjust council member salaries for inflation and tie future increases to the California Consumer Price Index. Known as SB 329, the bill is sponsored by the League of California Cities.
“Diversity and inclusion make for better policymaking at all levels of government,” said Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Cal Cities is proud to sponsor this important legislation that lessens barriers for those interested in governing at the local level. This overdue reform is another tool communities can choose to use that can help ensure our city councils are reflective of the residents who live, work, and play in their communities.”
Currently, city councils in general law cities may vote to receive a limited salary, not to exceed caps based on population size provided in state law. In previous decades, the Legislature updated these numbers for inflation. However, these amounts have not been adjusted since 1984 despite significant increases in the cost of living.
As a result, council members in most cities are currently capped at $300 per month. Those in larger cities can receive salaries up to $1,000 per month.
SB 329 would allow general law cities to adjust council member salaries from their 1984 numbers to today’s numbers. This would essentially triple what is in current law, bringing it roughly in line with inflation.
Government officials, policy experts, and activists often cite low compensation as a barrier to elected office. In theory, anyone can run for elected office. However, lengthy time commitments and limited pay discourage many, especially low-income residents, single parents, people of color, and young people, from running. For many, being a council member is a full-time commitment with part-time pay.