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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNCIL SALARY SETTING COMMISSION AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.08 OF THE STOCKTON MUNICIPAL CODE TO SET THE ANNUAL SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE IV, SECTION 410 OF THE CITY CHARTER
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance, as recommended by the Council Salary Setting Commission, to amend Title 2, Chapter 2.08 of the Stockton Municipal Code, to:
1. Increase the annual salary of the City Council members of the City of Stockton by 30% which will increase the annual salary to $40,000.00 ($3,333.33 / monthly) with no benefits for the period commencing January 1, 2027.
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Summary
Per City Charter Article IV, Section 410, the Salary Setting Commission shall:
• Recommend to the City Council, the amount of monthly salary and the benefits which it deems appropriate for the members of the City Council for the two-year period commencing January 1st of the next year.
• Between March 1st and April 30th of every even-numbered year, the Council Salary Setting Commission shall recommend to the Council the amount of monthly salary and the benefits which it deems appropriate for the members of the Council for the two-year period commencing January 1st of the next year. The amount recommended for each Councilmember shall be the same.
DISCUSSION
Background
On February 11, 2026, the Salary Setting Commission convened for its first session of 2026. Human Resources (HR) staff provided a compensation survey for the salaries of the Councilmembers of comparable public agencies to assist in establishing a recommendation. Mark Velasquez, Deputy City Attorney IV, also provided assistance relating to procedural matters and helped the Commission understand their roles and responsibilities.
The Commission utilized the salary survey to discuss various options, share ideas, and raise questions for staff. The Commissioners requested staff provide a revised report at the next regularly scheduled meeting to include the following information:
• Median household income for residents within each comparable agency
• Base salary projections reflecting 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% increases
• The number of Council members serving in each agency
• Identification of each agency as a Charter City or General Law City
• Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) information for comparable cities, where applicable
• Removal of Bakersfield from the salary survey
• Language pertaining to General Law City compensation limits
• Role of the City Council
• Financial information on how Council salaries are funded and impact on taxpayers
At the March 12, 2026, Salary Setting Commission meeting, updated compensation documentation and requested information was provided to the Commissioners. Additional information was requested by the Commissioners to include:
• Average hours that City Council members work per month
• The percentage increase if salary was increased to $40,000 and $45,000
• The percentage of salary compared to median household income for the City of Stockton
• Additional information on impacts to the General Fund
At the March 27, 2026, Salary Setting Commission meeting, the public hearing was held and City Staff provided the updated information as requested.
With a vote of 4-0 (Commissioner Shakeel Carpenter absent), the Commission approved the following recommendation:
• The Councilmembers shall receive a 30% increase to base salary which will increase the annual salary to $40,000.00 ($3,333 / monthly) effective January 1, 2027; and
• Councilmembers will continue to receive no benefits.
Present Situation
Per City Charter Article IV, Section 410, the Council Salary Setting Commission has submitted their request in writing for Human Resources to present to Council. Attached for your review and consideration is a memorandum from the City Council Salary Setting Commission Chair, Motecuzoma Sanchez, outlining the Commission's recommendations (Attachment A). Additionally, you will find the proposed ordinance related to the Commission's recommendations (Attachment B).
The Council shall by ordinance adopt the salaries as recommended by the Commission or in some lesser amount, but in no event may the Council increase the amount.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Increasing the annual salary for six Councilmember’s from $30,832.82 to $40,000.00, with no benefits other than Medicare and workers compensation insurance reflects a total annual increase of $55,003.08 to the General Fund. If approved the additional cost to salaries will be incorporated into the fiscal year 2026/2027 Annual Budget and the City’s Long-Range Financial Plan.
Attachment A - Salary Setting Commission Recommendation Memo
Attachment B - Proposed Ordinance - Redline