The City Council salary has not been increased for 22 years. The Mayor and Council Members are classified as “full time employees”. For City employees, the City has a practice of providing employees 95% of the total median compensation package to include salary and benefits.
Survey Results
In looking at comparator agency cities, six of the comparator cities provide health benefits to their Council Members, and seven of the comparator cities provide other benefits. Pacific Grove is -542.65% below of the 95% market median for total compensation.
| Population |
City of |
Empl. Class |
Monthly Salary |
Health Benefits |
Other Benefits |
Total Comp |
| 10,010 |
Capitola |
Council Member |
$600 |
- |
- |
$600 |
| 3,807 |
Carmel |
Council Member |
$150 |
3,039 |
- |
$3,189 |
| 40,740 |
Hollister |
Council Member |
$400 |
$2.493 |
$6 |
$2,898 |
| 22,781 |
Marina |
Council Member |
$200 |
- |
- |
$200 |
| 28,178 |
Monterey |
Council Member |
$430 |
$2,395 |
$16 |
$2,841 |
| 15,413 |
Pacific Grove |
Council Member |
$420 |
- |
- |
$420 |
| 155,465 |
Salinas |
Council Member |
$600 |
$2,605 |
$760 |
$3,965 |
| 273,213 |
Santa Cruz |
Council Member |
$1,710 |
$2,928 |
$422 |
$5,060 |
| 33,748 |
Seaside |
Council Member |
$400 |
$935 |
- |
$1,335 |
| 53,856 |
Watsonville |
Council Member |
$598 |
- |
$112 |
$710 |
City Council salaries are set by Government Code Section §36516, which determines salary by city population. Government Code Section §36516 (4) allows increases to salary of 5% from date of the last increase. If a Council salary increase is authorized for less than the full amount, there is no carry-forward allowed for the unused percentage.
Over two decades have elapsed since the last City Council salary increase was authorized. Accordingly, the maximum amount by which the Council may lawfully increase Council/Mayoral salaries, is one hundred percent. Currently Council Members receive $420 per month and the Mayor receives $700 per month.
It is not anticipated that all seven Council Members would choose to receive a salary increase.
Health Benefits
Government Code Section § 36516(d) provides any amount paid by the City for Council Member medical benefits is not classified as salary, as long as the same benefits are available and paid by the City for its employees.
The City Council may consider two options pertaining to Council member health benefits as outlined below. These options are based on the healthcare contributions currently provided for non-safety employees of the City, as required under Government Code Section § 36516(d).
- The City could contribute up to $1,600 per month per Council Member in addition to the required PEMHCA for all City Council Members. This benefit is offered to all members of the General Employee Association (GEA), the Police Officers Association (POA), and all employees that are in positions aligned with the GEA and POA.
- The City could contribute up to $1,700 per month per Council Member in addition to the required PEMHCA for all City Council Members. This benefit is offered to all Management Employee Associations (MEA), Department Heads, and all employees that are in positions aligned with the MEA.
If premiums for coverage exceeds the amount provided by the City, the individual Council Member is responsible for paying the balance. He or she may direct the City to deduct the balance from his or her salary.
It is not clear that all seven Council Members would participate in City provided healthcare benefits. |
The 100% salary increase per City Council Member has an annual impact of $5,040 per council member. The 100% salary increase for the Mayor has an annual impact of $8,400.
One City Council Member receiving a healthcare benefit can range from $950 - $1,700 per month depending on the alignment with a City benefit group, as well as the number of dependents. The annual City benefit contribution, including PEMHCA could range between $13,116 - $22,116 for each participating Council Member. |