City Commissions and Committees

The benefit package for City Council Members is similar to that offered to the City's department heads. A summary of benefits is provided below:

All city employees and City Council Members will share in the cost of 2008 medical, dental, and vision increases. The cost sharing pre-tax amount per pay period is shown below:

City Council Members are also entitled to membership in the City Credit Union, the city's medical and dependent/elderly care pre tax programs (Section 125 Plan), as well as the city's deferred compensation program. Practically speaking, however, the financial tax advantages that can be realized through these last two programs are likely of less significance to City Council Members since the deductions only apply to salaries and not expenses. Should a City Council Member be interested in these programs, however, the Human Resources Department is available to provide more detail, as well as the requisite forms.

City Council Members also receive compensation and an expense allowance in amounts approved by City Council. A summary of the car +allowance provisions follows:

Compensation

Section 302 of the City Charter sets the monthly compensation of City Council Members for their service as quoted here:

"The members of the City Council, including the Mayor, shall receive as compensation for their services as such, a monthly salary in the sum of one-hundred seventy-five dollars per month. In addition, each member of the City Council shall receive reimbursement on order of the City Council for Council authorized traveling and other expenses when on official duty upon submission of itemized expense account therefore. In addition, members shall receive such reasonable reimbursement to them of other routine and ordinary expenses, losses and costs imposed upon them by virtue of their serving as City Council Members."

Expense Allowance

The Mayor and City Council Members also receive an expense allowance to cover routine and ordinary expenses associated with their service. The amount provided for the Mayor is somewhat higher due to the number of additional activities in which the Mayor traditionally participates. This amount was established by ordinance under Municipal Code Section 2.28 approved in May of 1989. This code established a baseline amount to cover the day to day expenses associated with serving as a City Council member. It also included a provision for an annual adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The text of the May 1989 ordinance is quoted below; however, the actual amounts have increased because of CPI adjustments over the years.

"It is deemed reasonable and adequate that in reimbursement of the ordinary routine expenses, losses and costs imposed upon them by virtue of their serving the city in their official capacity, each Council Member shall receive monthly, during his or her term of office, the sum of $698 per month, and the mayor shall receive the sum of $936 per month, such sums to be adjusted annually by the consumer price index for all urban consumers, all items, 1982-84 equals 100, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the Los Angeles/Anaheim/Riverside. Metropolitan Area. Further, such expense allowance need not be accounted for by the recipient.

In addition thereto, each member of the City Council, including the mayor, shall be reimbursed pursuant to the city's business expense policy for council authorized travel and other expenses when on official duty upon submission of [an] itemized expense account therefor. This section is intended to meet the requirements of section 302 of the City Charter. Appropriations for the allowance and other expenses provided for herein shall be included in the annual budget approved by the City Council."

In Fiscal Year 08/09 (beginning 10/1/08) each Council Member received $1,354.45 a month and the Mayor will be receiving $1899.49 a month. With approval of the FY 2009/2010 budget the City Council cut their monthly expense allowance by 10%. At the present time, each Council Member receives approximately $1219 a month or $562.62 bi-weekly. The Mayor receives approximately $1709.54 a month or $789.02 bi-weekly.

Additional Expenses

In addition to the Council Expense Allowance provided above, funds are budgeted each year in the City Council Budget to cover the cost of city related conferences, training, and travel. The total amount budgeted for the seven Council Members in FY 2008/09 is $26,262. In April of 2005 an informal policy was set in place for allocation of these funds. The policy was achieved through discussions between the then Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem and City Administrator.

A formal Expense Policy was adopted by the City Council in December of 2006 under Resolution 2006-79. Under this policy Council Members can be reimbursed for expense by submitting an itemized expense report. In lieu of an itemized expense report a Council Member may take an advance of a per diem of $45 for each full day of out-of-town travel to a conference or training or $50 for each full day of out-of-town travel when on official business authorized by the City Council. This amount may fluctuate slightly based on certain higher cost cities. If you anticipated the expenses will exceed this set per diem, in may be best not to take a per diem, and instead submit an expense report with receipts to the Council Secretary for reimbursement after the travel. A copy of the policy is one of the reference material items.

City Blackberry Devices

For City Council members who would like them, the City provides Blackberry PDA's The Blackberry devise allows a council member to receive email and check appointments on a real time basis. The devise can also be used as a phone. AR 309 establishes the city's policy relating to telephone and cellular usage and reimbursement procedures. "Such devices are provided for official City business. Because restricting City phone use to official business is not always practical, this policy provides for limited personal use and reimbursement procedures. AR 309 is included in the reference material.

Further Information

New Council Members should schedule time to meet with the Principal Human Resources Supervisor, Brigitte Charles, at (714) 536-5917. You should also feel free to contact her whenever you have any questions regarding your city benefits.

City Council Benefits Summary:

Compensation

$175.00, as set in the Charter plus "reasonable and adequate amounts as may be established by ordinance [MC 2.28], which amounts shall be deemed to be reimbursement to them of other routine and ordinary expenses, losses and costs imposed upon them by virtue of their serving as City Councilmen."

In the city's FY 2009-2010 budget, the City Council reduced their expense allowance by 10%. The current compensation received by the City Council is $175.00, plus a current expense amount as follows:

FY 2009-10 - City Council Member - $563.62 per bi-weekly pay period
FY 2009-10 - Mayor - $789.02 per bi-weekly pay period

Choice of Three Medical Plans (Blue Shield HMO/PPO or Kaiser HMO)
Effective 1st of the month following one month of employment

City Council Member & dependents are eligible with cost sharing as described
Choice of two dental plans (Delta Dental PPO or DeltaCare PMI) Effective the 1st of the month following the date of hire.

City Council Member & dependents are eligible with cost sharing as described

Vision coverage
Effective the 1st of the month following the date of hire.

City Council Member & dependents are eligible with cost sharing as described

Life insurance
$50,000 benefit effective the 1st of the month following the date of hire. (City paid)

AD&D insurance
$50,000 benefit effective the 1st of the month following the date of hire. (City paid)

LTD insurance
Effective the 1st of the month following the date of hire. (City paid)

Optional Life and AD&D insurance
Available to Council Member and dependents (paid by Council Member)

Employee Assistance Program
Available to Council Member and dependents (City paid)

PERS Retirement
While the contribution is based only on salary, it is possible to enroll. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further detail.

Direct Deposit
Required as of March 2002

Credit Union
Membership in City Credit Union available

Business Expenses
The Council Business Expense Policy adopted by the City Council on Dec. 18, 2006.

Related Resource Material:

1. Municipal Code 2.28 - Expense Allowances for City Council Members
2. Resolution 2006-79 - City Council Expense Policy
3.
AR 309 City Phone & Cellular Phone Use Policy
4. League of CA cities article on gift acceptance

 


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