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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY 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 OF STOCKTON MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE IV, SECTION 410 OF THE CITY CHARTER
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt an ordinance to amend Title 2, Chapter 2.08 of the Stockton Municipal Code, as recommended by the City Council Salary Setting Commission, to:
1. Increase the annual base salary of the Mayor of the City of Stockton by 7.32% which will increase the annual salary to $97,107 ($8,092.24 / monthly) and maintain the existing benefits for the Mayoral term commencing January 1, 2025; and
2. Increase the annual salary of the City Council Members of the City of Stockton by 5% which will increase the annual salary to $30,832.62 ($2,569.40 / monthly) with no benefits for the period commencing January 1, 2025.
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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 level of benefits which it deems appropriate for the Mayor’s term commencing on January 1st of the following year.
• 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.
• Submit such recommendation to the City Council for final action between March 1st and April 30th of a Mayoral election year.
DISCUSSION
Background
On February 7, 2024, the Salary Setting Commission convened for its first session of 2024. Human Resources (HR) staff delivered a presentation to inform the Commission of the City of Stockton Charter, Stockton Municipal Code and Regulations that pertain to the Salary Setting Commissioner’s duties. HR also provided compensation surveys for the salaries of Mayors and Councilmembers of comparable public agencies to assist in establishing a recommendation. Taryn Jones, Deputy City Attorney, also provided assistance relating to procedural matters and helping the Commission understand their roles and responsibilities.
The Commission utilized the salary surveys to discuss various options, share ideas, and raise questions to staff. The Commissioners requested staff to provide a revised report at the next regularly scheduled meeting to include the following additional information:
• Median income for residents of each agency;
• Position in the market median for each agency;
• Notate which agencies possess a strong mayor;
• The cost of benefits for the City of Stockton compared to comparable agencies; and
• The history of salary changes for each comparable agency.
At the February 29, 2024 Salary Setting Meeting, updated compensation documentation was provided to the Commissioners and a public hearing was held. The public attended and provided their input to the Commissioners. These comments were considered when making a final recommendation.
The Commission took into account the time devoted to the office of the part-time Councilmembers, the full-time nature of the Mayor’s position, and the level of salaries and benefits being paid in other public agencies with similar part-time or full-time duties, responsibilities, and obligations. The Commission requested the City of Fresno be removed from the compensation survey conducted for the Mayor as it is a "Strong Mayor" agency and differs from the City of Stockton. Additionally, the Commission requested that San Joaquin County be removed from the same survey as they found it was not comparable.
Final recommendations were made and presented as follows:
With respect to the salary and benefits for the Mayor; with a vote of 5-0, the Commission approved the following recommendation:
• The Mayor shall receive a 7.32% increase to base salary, which will increase the annual salary to $97,107 ($8,092.24 / monthly) effective January 1, 2025; and
• Benefits shall remain unchanged.
With respect to the salary and benefits for the Councilmembers; with a vote of 4-1 (Commissioner Wortz dissenting), the Commission approved the following recommendation:
• The Councilmembers shall receive a 5% increase to base salary which will increase the annual salary to $30,832.62 ($2,569.40 / monthly) effective January 1, 2025; and
• Councilmembers will continue to receive no benefits.
Present Situation
The Salary Setting Commission submitted their recommendation in writing, per City Charter Article IV, Section 410, and 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.
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).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Increasing the Mayor’s salary from $90,484 to $97,107 and maintaining existing benefits will increase the City’s budget by $6,623.40 annually. If approved and implemented effective January 1, 2025, the additional cost to increase the Mayor’s salary to this level for Fiscal Year 2024-25 will be incorporated into the Annual Budget and the City’s Long-Range Financial Plan.
Increasing each of the six Councilmember’s salary from $29,363.40 to $30,832.60, with no benefits other than Medicare and workers compensation insurance, will increase the City’s budget by $8,809.32 annually ($1,468.22 per Councilmember). If approved and implemented effective January 1, 2025, the additional cost to increase Councilmember salaries to this level for FY 2024-25 will be incorporated into the Annual Budget and the City’s Long-Range Financial Plan.
Attachment A - Salary Setting Commission Recommendation Memo
Attachment B - Proposed Ordinance - Redline