Los Altos City Council members gave themselves a $650 monthly raise last week with the introduction of a new salary ordinance and resolution.
But hold on: It was the first pay raise in 40 years.
Since 1984, state law has limited pay to $300 a month or $3,600 a year. But Senate Bill 329, which went into effect Jan. 1, allows cities with populations under 35,000, like Los Altos, to increase pay to a high of $950 monthly, or $11,400 a year.
Under the new law, the raises can only occur after council members begin a new four-year term.
This means the increase cannot show up on their paychecks until after the Nov. 5 general election, when three of the five council seats will be up for re-election.
Also rising will be health benefits, as well as options for new benefits, such as life insurance. Council members will continue the benefits discussion at their Feb. 27 meeting.
The question of how much salary has been a subject of mild debate between councilmembers Neysa Fligor and Sally Meadows.
Fligor has said she didn’t like the “optics” of members of the council selecting the maximum possible salary. This triggered her assertion, based on anecdotal evidence, that some councils in similarly-sized cities have to work harder than councils in Los Altos.
She lobbied at the Feb. 13 council meeting for a mid-range salary, $600-$750 a month.
In comparison to nearby cities such as Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, Los Altos currently ranks near or at the bottom in salary and benefits.
“By taking $600, you’re already putting us below some of our comparator cities now,” Meadows said. “The only universal benefit we talked about is salary. … We do this once – set it to the state-mandated number.”
“I prefer to give room for future councils to move up (salary), but if (the) majority want to do the $950 tonight, I can support that,” Fligor said.
Although $950 a month is not a livable wage, council members have asserted that a little extra spending money, such as for child care, could make the difference between someone running for council or opting not to.
“Now that we have taken care of city staff (with salary increases), I think it is fair and appropriate for the council to take care of itself as well in a reasonable and responsible manner,” said Mayor Jonathan Weinberg. “Clearly, there was going to be a material benefit to council members that continues on after the next election. But it is in accord with what our peer cities are offering their council members as well.”
