- LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
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Governor signs bill to allow first city council pay cap increases since 1984
Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, authored SB 329, which he said is a measure to boost participation and diversity on California city councils by allowing the first council pay cap increases since 1984, bringing salaries more in line with the cost of living.
The newest law addresses an issue that Dodd said has discouraged public participation on city councils.
Now, in general law cities, city councils may vote to receive a limited salary, not to exceed caps based on population size provided in state law.
However, the maximum amounts set by state law have not been increased since 1984, despite inflation of more than 300% during that time.
Because of the disparity, people from diverse communities are discouraged from running for office, Dodd’s office said. Others with full-time jobs have been forced to resign their posts before their terms expire because they can’t devote time to council service and supporting their families.
In the city of Clearlake, council salaries for 2022 ranged between $6,000 and $10,861, with two council members receiving between $10,230 and $10,290 in retirement and health contributions, according to the Government Compensation in California website, which uses data submitted by the city.
The Government Compensation in California website does not specify which council members receive what pay amounts.
In the city of Lakeport, in 2022 two council members receive wages, one $1,050 and another $3,000, and two others receive retirement and health contributions, totaling $15,233 and $21,059. Three others are reported as receiving no pay.
There are seven Lakeport Council Council positions listed for last year, rather than five, due to resignations followed by new appointments.
Senate Bill 329 allows councils to adjust their maximum pay to reflect inflation as measured by the California Consumer Price Index. Any increases would require a majority vote of the city councils.
SB 329 was supported by the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference and the League of California Cities, among other groups.
“In my time in the Legislature, people have called for action on a range of issues – from wildfire safety to consumer protection — and I’ve responded with commonsense laws addressing these pressing issues,” Sen. Dodd said. “My priority is always the same — to make life better for Californians. That’s the goal of my latest bill, which will remove barriers to achieving more equitable representation in local government by making it easier for public servants to balance careers and personal obligations.”
On June 29, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill. It’s the 100th bill written by Sen. Dodd since he joined the Legislature in 2014, first as an Assembly member — representing a district that included Lake County — and later as the Third District senator.
It is reported to be the single highest number from any legislator over the same period.
Dodd has taken on an array of issues including helping small businesses, improving wildfire safety and bolstering consumer privacy and protection.
“So much of politics today is about being a political show horse. Yet, Sen. Dodd demonstrates time and again that he’s a workhorse — trying to solve problems — and not merely about political grandstanding,” said David McCuan, political science professor at Sonoma State University. “With 100 bills signed by California governors, this approach is about moving the lines forward on controversial political debates and issues. SB 329 is yet another example of doing what’s right to improve our work in politics over that of merely being about the show in the game of politics.”